The Luton & Dunstable Hospital Trust has announced that it will permanently close the staff bar at the hospital’s long-standing social club in February 2026, without proper staff consultation.
This space has served NHS workers for decades — as a place to unwind, connect with colleagues, and support one another across departments. It’s more than just a bar; it’s part of the hospital’s community culture.
What makes this even more concerning is that many staff still contribute financially to the social club through monthly payroll deductions. The bar — now being closed — has been part of what they’ve helped fund and maintain over the years.
We believe this closure is unfair, short-sighted, and dismissive of the staff who continue to invest in the club — financially and socially.
We call on Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to:
Pause the planned bar closure scheduled for February 2026
Engage in formal consultation with staff who pay into the club & associate members.
Review the financial history of the social club, including payroll deductions and staff-funded improvements
Protect this important social space for current and future NHS staff

Let’s protect what staff have built — and continue to support.