Why do motorway service areas encourage customers to leave so quickly?

I met with a colleague at Cambridge Services (A14) today, enjoying a leisurely chat over coffee, purchased from the onsite facilities. After a while we decided to extend our discussion over a bite of lunch, at which point I remembered that there was likely to be a time limit in the car park. There was; two hours. CCTV with ANPR watched us arrive and leave. So we had to abandon our plans and went on our way. The charge to extend our stay without penalty would have been £20. Can you imagine a similar arrangement at The Trafford Centre or Lakeside, with shoppers having to rush around to get their shopping done knowing a fine was pending if they overstayed their welcome? As a new entrepreneur trying to get a business going I abhor this. It’s virtually saying “sorry, we don’t want your business, please go away”. Is it any wonder our country cannot drag itself out of recession?

Asked on 5 March 2011 by TH, Braintree

Answered by Honest John

I agree, it's daft. How can you "Tiredness kills, take a break" if you are limited in the time of that break? You are not limited at motorway service areas anywhere else in Europe. In your case the stupid policy of this franchisee deprived it of the income you would otherwise have spent on your lunch. Another ludicrous policy is showing which caterers have outlets at the service area, but not showing which brand of fuel. If drivers have a fuel card for a single brand of fuel, this forces them to make unnecessary stops until they have learned which service areas have their brand.

Tags: car parking motorway services

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