A luxury menu is now available to patients and visitors at a hospital thanks to the opening of a new Marks and Spencer store.

Maidstone Hospital opened its doors to a brand new M&S Simply Food store earlier today.

The retailer, opened in partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland can be found in the main entrance concourse of the hospital, and stocks nearly 1,500 different food and drink products.

Items such as salads, prepared meals, sandwiches, self-serve coffee, a deli range and an in-store bakery will be on sale to patients, staff and visitors.

The new M&S has also brought 24 full and part-time jobs to the area. The new staff have been training for the last few weeks.

Jeanette Batten, director of estates and facilities management at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: “We’re really excited to be adding to the food and drink retail offers at Maidstone Hospital and giving patients, visitors and colleagues here more choice.

“The new M&S Simply Food store will offer quality products and we’re looking forward to the opening.”

Andy Jones, managing director of healthcare retail at Compass Group UK & Ireland, added: “M&S is a well trusted and popular brand and everyone at the hospital will enjoy the extended retail offer available.”

Other retail outlets such as the League of Friends shop, Costa Coffee and WH Smith remain on site at both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals.