WORK has started on a revamp and upgrade of a hospital’s main entrance.

The building development at Eastbourne District General Hospital will be an improvement for patients and visitors and is expected to be completed in early autumn.

There will be new refreshment facilities offering a varied selection of food and drink and a changed layout of the foyer.

This will include an updated reception and outpatient booking facilities.

Two new cafes will be based in the main entrance and on the lower ground and there are plans for another refreshment facility.

While building work is under way a temporary café will operate from the site of the old flower shop.

The Friends Shop, refurbished in 2014, remains and will continue to provide its current range of services.

Hospital associate director of estates and facilities Chris Hodgson said: “We will try to minimise any disturbance but would apologise in advance for any disruption while this building work is in progress.”

The work is partly funded by Aramark, who took over the cafe facilities from Saturday.

The refurbishment is part of a £25 million upgrade of parts of the hospital.