Sodexo to launch UK's first automated food court for healthcare

Sodexo is set to open the UK's first automated food court for healthcare workers in Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.

The contract caterer has partnered with payments services provider Worldline and foodservice solutions firm SV365 Technologies to launch 24/7 Deli.

Sodexo revealed plans to roll-out the concept across relevant sites in central England.

The 24/7 Deli offers cashless self-service kiosks for staff, patients and visitors.

Simon Lilley, director of strategy and marketing, health & care at Sodexo UK & Ireland and Militsa Pribetich-Gill, head of product innovation, Sodexo UK, added: "As a strategic partner to many NHS hospitals, it is important for us to continue to innovate and to provide new and exciting initiatives such as the 24/7 Deli.

"Through our new automated retail solution, we'll be able to play our part every day, by serving frontline teams, visitors and patients. Together with Worldline, we are happy to provide an innovative and smooth end-to-end user experience, from nutrition – our core competence – through user-friendly kiosk distribution all the way to payment."