Motorway service stations are important places for motorists to rest and enjoy food and refreshments. But a planned relaxation on the sale of alcohol in roadside services has been condemned as taking refreshments too far.
The JD Wetherspoon pub chain has been given the go-ahead to open a new bar and restaurant at junction 2 of the M40 in Buckinghamshire. The 24 hour establishment will offer alcoholic beverages as well as food and non-alcoholic drinks.
The decision by the Home Office has drawn criticism from various quarters, including from the founder of the Campaign Against Drink Driving, Carol Whittingham. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said she was “absolutely astounded” that the government had granted the licence.
She argued that there was no need to tempt motorists into drinking right next to a motorway.
The Government had been consulting on whether or not to relax laws restricting the sale of alcohol next to motorways.
Recently, there has been an increase in the availability of alcohol at motorway service stations – in the form of retailer partners such as Marks and Spencers.
The new Buckinghamshire motorway pub has yet to be given a name, but J D Wetherspoons’ Chairman, Tim Martin said he hoped it would be the first of many such establishments to open along Britain’s motorway network.
A spokesman for the chain said of the new development: "We don't see any problem."
As a driver, how do you feel about being able to buy alcohol at a motorway service station? And how do you feel about other drivers being able to access alcohol so easily? As ever, leave your comments below.
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