‘Worst’ motorway services in line for revamp
A MOTORWAY service station near Bolton that has been lampooned for its poor standards is to undergo a major revamp.
Bolton West services on the M61 has been branded a “national disgrace” and the “worst motorway services in Britain” by travellers who have been shocked by the dilapidated facilities.
The service station has been criticised for its potholed car park, broken toilets and leaky ceiling.
Now Blackburn-based Euro Garages, which bought the site in June, is working on a long-awaited redevelopment strategy. It is expected to submit its plan to Chorley Council within the next few weeks.
A spokesman for Euro Garages, which has a network of 76 forecourts, said: “The intention is to completely redevelop the site – both north and southbound. We’ve drawn up detailed plans and are about to submit them. We see a real opportunity here. We think it’s a strategically-located, premium site.”
Bolton West was previously owned by First Motorway Services, a small operator based in Newport, Wales. It was used as a setting for an early Peter Kay comedy programme and has developed a cult following among some people who have set up a Facebook page in its honour.
Euro Garages, which was formed eight years ago by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa with a single petrol station, is the UK’s second biggest independent forecourt operator. It sells around 300m litres of fuel each year and has a turnover of £260m.
