Profits climb for five star M-way services group

Westmorland, the family-owned motorway services business which runs Tebay Services on the M6 in Cumbria and Gloucester Services on the M5, is celebrating growth in turnover to £92.9m from £71.8m and soaring pre-tax profits to £6.1m from £3.6m.

The results were for the first full year if trading to June 2016 at Gloucester with the southbound services opening in May, 2015 and northbound services in May 2014.

2016 also saw Cairn Lodge’s first 12 months under Westmorland’s ownership.

Chief executive Sarah Dunning said: “We have developed and strengthened our offer in our Farmshops & Kitchens, resulting in strong trading.

“Work with local and independent producers has remained a priority. Gloucester and Tebay Services each have an established network of around 130 local producers, within 30 miles of the services.

“More than half of what we spend with retail and catering suppliers is locally or regionally sourced and that commitment to local allows emerging local businesses to flourish.”

Westmorland is the only motorway service area operator in the country to have been awarded five stars for all its sites by Visit England.

Gloucester Services was named Britain’s ‘best newcomer’ in the Observer Food Monthly Awards and The Prince of Wales opened Gloucester Services southbound in summer 2015.  

Meanwhile, Westmorland will welcome newly-appointed chief executive Rob Swyer in April.

Swyer started his career in manufacturing and buying with Mars and has since enjoyed a successful career in retail with Asda, Pets at Home and most recently as Retail Director with Halfords.  

Current chief executive Dunning will move to the role of chairman. Bryan Gray will remain with the business as non-executive director and and Laurence King will become vice chairman.