First motorway pub opens in the UK

22 January 2014  

JD Wetherspoon has opened a new public house at the Beconsfield service station on the M40 motorway.

The Hope and Champion has become the first establishment on the UK service station network to serve alcohol, raising questions about the appropriateness of the location and drink-drive laws. The pub will be open from 4am until 1am, serving alcohol from 9am.

The move has raised the concerns of road safety campaigners. A spokesman for Brake told the BBC: “The opening of a pub on the motorway could be of real concern unless safeguards are put in place with strong messages to warn about the dangers of drink-driving. As it is putting temptation there in front of drivers, it is doubly important the messages are extra clear.

JD Wetherspoon has spent over £1 million on the new pub, and aims for it to be the first of many at motorway services across the country. JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said there was a ‘minimal chance’ the pub’s opening would lead to drink-driving.

phil@aftermarket.co.uk