Toddington Services
Opened: 1965 Original owner: Granada Current Owner: Moto Then: Trivia: Granada’s First Site. Granada, up until then were a cinema chain, ITV contractors for the north west, and a bingo Hall chain. The security staff were dressed with Robin Hood Hats when the site opened. For a period, housed the groups offices (previously they had been at Heston services on the M4) This site was used by Granada to experiment with Self-Service restaurants at MSA’s. Obviously successful! Both sites currently has a 5 Star Loo of the year Award 2003 along with 33 others in the road transport category. (find best loos overall) The Travel lodge at Toddington was the first to offer 3 hour “power naps” for 5 pounds, including...
Full ReviewTibshelf Services
Opened: 1998Current Owner: RoadChef Then: Trivia: From Mike B: “On the M1 north of Junction 28 stubs were built for a service area when the road was first built. The present Tibshelf Services however were actually built just south of these stubs which can still be seen unused. I’m not sure why this is the case, but the present position does mean that the slip roads are sharply curved and entry and exits are at the same point rather than at the north and south ends of the site as they would have been.” Current: From Tony Lloyd “Northbound – the design is like a tunnel. It’s quite a small service area. The front door basically leads an open...
Full ReviewNorthampton Services
Opened: 1978? Original owner: Blue Boar Current Owner: Roadchef Original Name: Rothersthorpe Then: Originally named Rothersthorpe For many years a Truck-only stop Northampton Services Southbound, 2008. Honest I haven’t just used a Norton Cannes picture, theres no fountains. Trivia: In the old building (now demolished) crossing the footbridge would lead directly into the MSA building. Offline-ish services- the site is accessable from the A43 without touching the M1. The M1 slip for the services is shared with the A43 slip. (multimap) If you buy food here on a credit card, your bill will read BLUE BOAR MSA – a touch of its past! Blue Boar – Rothersthorpe under construction. This building has been demolished, as it was rather too...
Full ReviewNewport Pagnell Services
Opened: 15 August 1960 Original owner: Forte Current Owner: Welcome Break Location: Between J14-15 Trivia: Originally to be Cars only- with Watford Gap services being for Lorries only. The pair of services being the only services on the M1 at the time. Fortes Motorway services were managed for many years from offices at Newport Pagnell Had to open two hours early as queues of curious public had formed! On opening day it took a while to get a table as many people had come out to see the services and experience the novelty. Egon Ronay was not complimentary during his survey of services in 2000. He said of the all the All-Day Breakfast: “One of my three colleagues remarked...
Full ReviewLeicester Forest Services
Opened: 1966 Original owner: Ross / Motoross Current Owner: Welcome Break Then: Trivia: Originally owned and built by Ross – The same company that produces Fresh and Frozen Fish. The Ross Logo used to be on the top of the distinctive water tower. Originally built with Restaurant on the bridge (at most services a bridge is just a bridge). The restaurant is still located on the Bridge today. It was the last service area built like this. Whilst originally they were viewed as giving a wonderful view, later thinking considered that they gave little relief from the motorway! When it opened, it was the furthest MSA north. Opened with a Terrance Conran designed restaurant called the Captains Table, served...
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