THE main entrance at Southampton General Hospital will close for half a year for major redevelopment work.

The £2.5m new entrance will provide a new reception area, a larger entrance and more facilities when it opens at the beginning of next year.

When it is completed the new area will feature an M&S shop and cafe and a Subway, although Burger King was controversially ditched by hospital chiefs, as revealed by the Daily Echo.

Hospital chiefs say the project is being funded by the University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s partner and construction firm Interserve Prime as part of an agreement that will see revenue raised in the shops at the new entrance and retail area reinvested, as opposed to NHS money being used.

The hospital is working with Interserve Prime on a £150m improvement project over the space of 25 years.

Plans for a £12m multi-storey parking complex were also unveiled earlier this year.

Daily Echo:

An artist's impression of the new hospital entrance

The entrance will close for 25 weeks from July 13 for work on the entrance to take place. There will be seven alternative entrances and exits around the site while the work takes place which patients will be signposted to.

Some retailers in the entrance area have already moved but the UHS Pharmacy, WHSmith and Stockshop will all remain open during the works.

Kiteleys Solicitors has moved to a new office on B level, outside the Spice of Life restaurant, while the Baguette Company will also remain open.

A new Costa coffee shop will be added to the green outside the main entrance area and a car parking attendant will be available to direct people from the main car park.

There will also be a team of volunteers on hand to help people find their way around the hospital site during the course of the work.

Matthew Hine, liaison and engagement lead for the project, said: “Today, almost 10,000 people walk through our main entrance doors every week day, so we want to create a modern space that better serves the needs of patients, visitors and staff.

"Although closure of the current main entrance will cause some disruption, a number of measures will be introduced to ensure a smooth transition for patients, visitors and staff throughout the redevelopment work.

Daily Echo:

An artist's impression of the new hospital entrance

“Visitors can help us during this period by allowing additional time when attending the hospital and, where possible, considering the use of public transport.”

A map showing the alternative entrances and exits as well as their proximity to car parks, drop-off points and taxi ranks will be available on the Trust’s website.

All outpatients will be sent the map in advance of appointments, unless they have chosen to receive messages by phone, email or SMS in which case they will be directed to it on the website to print it off.