The kitchen and restaurant at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital is to close.

Natalie Davies, corporate services director for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “After exploring every possible option, it is with regret that we have to close the kitchen at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital.

“When Virgin Care began delivering care for patients on the wards at the hospital last year it decided not to use our catering services and transport food from Sheppey Hospital.

“Working with the kitchen staff, we have explored every possible option to try to keep the restaurant open for the public and to close the financial gap."

Ms Davies said staff were very disappointed not to have found an alternative solution, adding: "Any decision that means redundancies or changes in facilities for the community is always something we do very reluctantly.”

The closure at the Bell Road site is scheduled for June 17.