And many hospitals built under the private finance initiative do not have kitchen facilities which allow cooking from scratch.

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As well as a gym hall there are kitchen facilities, a bar, senior ranks mess, stores, lecture rooms and an armoury.

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It will also create a sensory garden in the grounds and improve the kitchen facilities, allowing the venue to stage functions such as weddings.

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Cookery would only be compulsory in those schools with kitchen facilities.

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"It would be impossible for them to comply with the law without appropriate kitchen and dining facilities being retained by head teachers and also included in the planning for new school builds, " said Ms Bull.

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The kitchen was in danger of closure before it was offered new facilities in the town centre.

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