On 16 March 2009, Royal Air Force High Wycombe unveiled @3, an extensive café-style facility. Representing the Royal Air Force at the opening ceremony was Commander-in-Chief AIR Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader KCB OBE ADC FRAeS RAF, and Group Captain Judith Good MBE RAF, Station Commander of Royal Air Force High Wycombe. The venue is designed to provide an area to relax and socialise in elegant surroundings; its alcoholic bar will be opened once a month for functions, but when the bar is closed, patrons will still be able to get a Costa Coffee-branded beverage or a Chicago Town-branded pizza with friends.
ARAMARK won the tender, and as such plans for the new eatery began from there. With ARAMARK’s plan to design a luxurious yet comfortable venue, the aim has always been to make @3 an attractive place for people to spend time in. Work began on the building in early February 2009, which involved ripping out partition walls, replacing the flooring, installing a suspended ceiling (with inset lighting) and general redecoration.
The opening of @3 today represents the completion of ‘phase one’ of the project; this includes opening of the lounge, café and bar area, along with the monthly functions which will be run by ARAMARK. ‘Phase two’ will include further renovation of the building to include classroom and office facilities (which will be utilised by visiting Air Training Corps camps), and eventually provide an Internet-lounge facility. By the time the project is fully completed, @3 will represent a massive improvement to welfare and social facilities at Royal Air Force High Wycombe, not just for Service personnel, but also for their families and civilian friends.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader gave a short speech at the opening, which saw the different groups involved in the project come together for the first time on such a scale. This project was funded substantially from the Quality of Life Fund, and is the first major project of this kind to open its doors, making it an important asset to Royal Air Force High Wycombe and a high priority for the Commander-in-Chief AIR Command.
Representing Neil Shroeder, Managing Director, ARAMARK Defence Services, Brian Jerstice, Strategy Director for ARAMARK Defence Services and a retired Air Commodore, attended the opening ceremony.
“We are delighted to be given an opportunity to contribute to the development of a key facility on this vital unit as we understand the pivotal role of welfare in the life of a Service community. Working with the Royal Air Force to develop an offering that not only meets expectations but also exceeds them is of paramount importance to everyone involved in this project. We have ambitious plans for how we want the café style facility to look and feel and optimise this area to its full potential.”