Canteen cops it as Hanley bobbies eat elsewhere
BOBBIES working in the city centre will no longer be able to get a hot meal at the police station.
The canteen at the Hanley station will serve its last meals on Friday before being turned into office space.
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NO HOT GRUB: Hanley Police Station is losing its canteen.
Staffordshire Police says the decision has been made because less people are using it, so keeping it open is not worth the maintenance costs.
Officers will instead be provided with vending machines and a basic kitchen.
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The canteen was not subsidised by the force and catering staff were brought in from an outside company.
A spokesman for the force said: "The decision to close the canteen at Hanley is as a result of a continued reduction in demand for the facilities.
"While the force does not subsidise the canteen, it is responsible for the utility bills and maintenance of the kitchen equipment.
"These are the costs that will be saved alongside the opportunity to use some of the space currently dedicated to the canteen as office space in the future.
"We are taking the opportunity to provide the staff working from Hanley with new modern facilities which will include basic kitchen facilities, vending machines and coffee machines which will be available around the clock, rather than the limited hours currently covered by the canteen.
"The kitchen staff involved are employed by an outside company rather than the force itself. Therefore we can't comment on the future of the small number of staff affected."
Retired Staffordshire officer Nigel Gunn, below, said changes to shift patterns meant less officers would have been able to use the canteen.
He said: "I'm not surprised it's closing. When I first started every little station had a canteen of some kind, but over the years they disappeared one-by-one.
"There wouldn't be as much demand for the Hanley canteen because shift patterns have changed. If you are a bobby working shifts the canteen wouldn't normally be open when you're on duty anyway, except if you're on a day shift. It would mainly be used by those in office roles doing nine-to-five.
"It does make it difficult for officers to eat while on duty because they get criticised by the public if they are seen going in into a supermarket or takeaway to get something."
Andy Adams, chairman of Staffordshire Police Federation, said: "The canteen was not getting the use from staff. The officers on duty don't have the luxury any more of being able to sit in the canteen to eat a hot meal. They all eat on the go, or grab a quick sandwich.
"It is nice to have a hot meal, but given the demands of the job, most times they would be called out to an incident half way through.
"The days have gone when there were lots of office staff who kept the canteen going."
Comments
by camband
Saturday, September 15 2012, 9:30PM
“Calm down sunny boy. And never be afraid to condemn those who are in the wrong -whoever they are. Over zealous deference leads to tyranny.
Credit where it's due yes, but that doesn't mean 'blanket adulation'.”
by doubty
Saturday, September 15 2012, 1:31PM
“"'A duty of care'..... now I like that. Same as that applied to the 'Hilsborough 96 I suppose."
what on earth has that to do with this?
plus, totally different subject, era, police force etc.
"Spare a thought for those who spend a night or day or two in the cells..... Have McDonald's secured a lucrative contract?
There is a thing called the custody facility at etruria, which is where all suspects go now. Have not been taken to any station for years now.
and this is not run by the police either. sorry, but that means you have one less thing to blame the police for.
could'nt agree more gengar1. headline news. police have to eat, drink and go the loo shocker.”
by camband
Saturday, September 15 2012, 12:16PM
“'A duty of care'..... now I like that. Same as that applied to the 'Hilsborough 96 I suppose.”
by warren-lloyd
Saturday, September 15 2012, 7:13AM
“You fully ensure that you don't spend time in the cells then Camband. I'm sure there will be things put in place to ensure a duty of care to people held. There will be kettles and toasters, and a good helping of Chav fodder, Pot Noodle.”
by camband
Friday, September 14 2012, 1:23PM
“Spare a thought for those who spend a night or day or two in the cells..... Have McDonald's secured a lucrative contract?
In my one night in the cells though- as a young tearaway (now imagine that for a moment), I just got a piece of toast and an enamel mug of tea. It was lovely!”
by camband
Friday, September 14 2012, 1:18PM
“by warren-lloyd
"I like the idea that they are out there in the shops after the butties, pies and drinks. I see the guys and I feel a little safer." UNQUOTE.
Just the same as when I see them hop on a bus -and 'mingle'. Reassuring; especially for the old folk and young mothers with kids and buggies.”
by gengar1
Friday, September 14 2012, 8:02AM
“dont get the whole police eating in public thing....
its hardly frontline news that they are people too and need to eat in order to keep themselves going during a shift!”
by andrew788
Thursday, September 13 2012, 11:32PM
“The building is antiquated and ridled with asbestos its like stepping in a time warp back to the 60's when you go in there. It needs demolishing never mind creating more space from the old canteen. Best get rid all together and send them down Etruria Valley.”
by Dizzy1960
Thursday, September 13 2012, 12:16PM
“At least this action will ensure we see more bobbies on the beat at meal times and if they pre-order their food, it won't hold up the public going about there daily duties and that they are back on the beat in the shortest of time.
What's wrong with a sandwich box and flask anyway or have they standards or a waist line to preserve?”
by melpowell1983
Thursday, September 13 2012, 11:57AM
“It'd be nice to see police officers out and around a lot more so we know of their existance a lot more. Maybe officers eating out in public might make it more easier for the public and help people feel a little more safer.”