I'm usually the same as then I know my food is coming straight to the door and not been driven around town going cold while others are being dropped off.
However, I'm currently recovering from surgery and not able to drive so I have treated us to a couple of meals delivered from restaurants...
Could also be that many places that used to offer work canteens or equivalent have now closed them so people get together and treat themselves to a hot lunch delivery.
Assuming you have specific reasons for not using the Metropole, maybe Wagner Hall is an option. It is just off West Street by the entrance to the Churchill Square car park so only a few minutes walk from the Metropole - https://www.wagnerhallbrighton.co.uk/
As he has a back problem, it could just be something as simple as being advised not to attend as sitting on those conference chairs for three hours is not going to help his recovery.
In the same way Roberto has his team, it must be that Steve McClaren is there to help translate from Dutch to English as he is such a fluent speaker of the Dutch language
I haven't watched this one yet but saw the pilot which showed the walk and information boards around the old West Grinstead station that I didn't know existed.