How many of us during the year have come to that jaw slackening moment in a motorway service area when we are faced with shelling out something roughly equal to the national debt of a 3rd world country in order to provide coffee and sticky buns for our nearest and (literally in this case) dearest?
Likewise when questioning the shop why Chorley cakes are two for 99p when they are four for 69p in the Co-op we are usually confronted with the reply "Well we do have to be open 24 hours a day 365 days a year!" as the excuse for the high prices.
Well family FiF have been on the road this Yuletide, long story totally off topic so we will leave that out of it but it appears the case is that "No they are NOT open 24/7!"
Picture the scene, you've driven past umpteen signs saying " Think don't drive tired" or "Tiredness kills take a break" and so on. So off you pull into the service area to find......
The car park shut, blocked off with barriers and cones.
The service area building closed and locked, no access to toilets even.
Now the filling station shop is open admittedly, with two staff running round like blue rear ended flies dealing with the fuel forecourt, serving shop customers, plus making coffee & sandwiches.
Presumably their duties also include cleaning the one trap toilet/disabled facilities/baby changing area. Obviously that job task had fallen off the end of the counter judging by the state and smell of things.
As for parking facilities effectively non existent without blocking access roads.
Now I accept that it is difficult to get staff to work over Christmas, even for premium pay if that applies. Plus I am not asking for a full service availability, but the above scenario was at 8:30pm Christmas Eve for goodness sake! Not exactly an unsocial hour!
Merry Christmas to all our readers and contributors, but to M***, W****** B**** and R******* plus any others I've forgotten out there, I am going to make every effort during 2004 to avoid patronising your establishments as far as possible.
In certain cases I also am going to make your life hell at the Highways Agency about your removal of access to toilets and short term parking facilities which you ARE CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE 24 HOURS A DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR!!!!
Any more examples that anyone can come up with to reinforce my own case you can mail to me.
regards,
FiF (man on a mission!)
Better go and lie down now...... nurse! nurse!!!!
|
I agree service is universally awful in Britain and nowhere more so than at the hell-holes you describe. I dread any kind of service encounter on my trips there on the basis of the attitude --"the answer's no, now what's the question?". Either delivered by some semi-literate pimple on minimum wage or a member of "diversity" with a chip on his/her shoulder that the notion of actual work is even expected in exchange for a wage constitutes some kind of minority discrimination.
After "can-do" Asia it's a bummer. You even have to pump your own gas and as for having someone offer to wipe your windshield, dream on.
Thank heavens for the Turd World, where a job is a privilege and if you don't do it right there's someone right behind you ready to take over. For all its faults, the Philippines runs 24/7/365 and you'll always get a smile, a "thank you for coming" and "can I check your oil while your tank is filling sir?"
Worth braving a few Abu Sayyaf for IMHO!
|
|
When motorways first began I seem to recall that the Companies invited to tender had to conform to the required 24/7 specifications. Many other rquirements also which led to protests from the smaller operators who said this made them viable only to the big companies.
|
Greetings FiF,
Can't help with meals on the move but if you want an example of Christmas day service it was good to see Bid-Up TV was still plugging away (Freeview) while we were tucking into the feast.
It is so nice to know they are there for us with that "non-brand" digi camera bidding up to £169 when a better spec Fuji can be had from a proper shop at £109. Also that the impulse buy of a Viners knife set in a damaged box can be had when all other retailers are closed.
You see there are some thinking of the customer every day!
As for those service stations...well we only see them once a year when the M.M's have their outing North. There is nothing I can think of to explain away the distress at the price/quality balance. I just apply all the same restraint as I do to a potential road rage incident and pretend it isn't happening.
Thank goodness for the superb quality and value of almost every meal (cafes, pubs and hotels) North of the border.
M.M
|
|
My personal tip is to get the free maps produced by Tesco and Sainsburys which show the location of their stores, then try to plan journeys around their "just-off-the motorway" superstores that have coffee shops attached. As an example, a few years back 4 of us went from just north of London to Sheffield. We stopped for a light meal and paid just over a tenner for all of us in a Sainsburys coffee shop. ISTR a pot of tea, from which 2 cups could easily be poured, was less than the cost of one cup at a typical motorway service area. The place was also a lot cleaner and less crowded than a typical m'way service area, and of course the toilets were clean and almost unused too.
|
My personal tip is to get the free maps produced by Tesco and Sainsburys which show the location of their stores, then try to plan journeys around their "just-off-the motorway" superstores that have coffee shops attached.
A good idea. Some service stations have an attached coffee shop - e.g. Starbucks - and the quality is always decent.
Four years ago at a service station I bought the most expensive cake and coffee I had ever had. The coffee was disgusting. The cake was stale and hard. The staff member was hostile.
A month or two ago I foolishly pulled in to a service station and bought a Nicoise Baguette. They had burnt it. Quite how anyone can burn a Nicoise sarnie I will never know but it had a very strong taste as per burnt toast. I suspect the pan with the boiled eggs in had boiled dry and burnt. Outrageously expensive too.
I think the problem is that these places are operated by big companies like Granada who aim to please shareholders and highly paid senior managers, and employ unskilled staff on low wages. Pay peanuts and ... well you know how the saying goes.
Why can't they have 'food malls' consisting of lots of small stalls proving various forms of ethnic food, and a small 'tax' goes to paying for cleaners and toilet attendants etc?
|
|
|
|
Another interesting and usually good value alternative is............garden centres. Decent sized ones usually have a cafe/coffee shop, often serving sandwiches and hot meals. Obviously not 24 hours, but usually good home-cooked food at sensible prices.
|
|
|
|
|
Merry Christmas to all our readers and contributors, but to M***, W****** B**** and R******* ............
Well I've worked out numbers 2 and 3. Never had any problems with those, apart from the religious(*) prices.
What is the first company? A web search has proved fruitless.
(*) From the Bible, "I was a stranger and ye took me in"
|
Clariman... it's the same word as is missing from the mobile phone advertising slogan "Hello M***".... or a Motorway that's lost it's way.
The real scandal of Motorway service stations is:
BK Bacon double cheeseburger meal in the high street= less than £4, but at one of the above service stations it's £5.99!!
|
|
|
|
If you compare prices of little c***'s, that well known roadside eating place that has almost eliminated the good old transport cafe, you will find that ones on busy routes and motorway service areas charge more for the same meal as those at quiet locations.The reason given as service areas have higher overheads if you believe that well!!
also this have noticed that a few are closing at 8:00 pm instead of 10:00pm till summer 04 to enable them to give travelers a better service - Ithink not.
rustbucket
|
|
|
Would the mods consider allowing FiF to name the service area with the closed car park and toilets?. Appreciate the usual bar on "name and shame" but this is a bit more clear cut than the garage x has messed up my brakes scenario.
For my part i found Corley entirely up to scratch earlier in the day on the 24th and again on the 26th. But then Welcome Break have (IMHO) been the market leaders back since they were THF.
|
Would the mods consider allowing FiF to name the service area with the closed car park and toilets?.
Simon,
I'd like to give the company and site responsible the opportunity to respond to "feedback" and explain themselves first.
Then depending uopn their reply.......
If you really wish to know the gory details you can mail on address in profile then its not in public domain.
All the best,
FiF
|
I'd like to give the company and site responsible the opportunity to respond to "feedback" and explain themselves first. Then depending uopn their reply....... If you really wish to know the gory details you can mail on address in profile then its not in public domain.
Cheers FiF. Please drop me a line with any response from the "offenders". I'm sure there will be no problem posting the response but I wouldn't mind casting my eye over it before we put it up.
Thanks again,
No Dosh
mailto:Alan_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
|
"Cheers FiF. Please drop me a line with any response from the "offenders". I'm sure there will be no problem posting the response but I wouldn't mind casting my eye over it before we put it up."
OK to close this one off.
No Dosh and I have agreed its probably not that useful to name the company and service area involved.
I have been contacted directly by the company from Director level. Had a very pleasant conversation and clearly they expressed concern that they had failed to deliver a reasonable service from one of their flagship sites by such a large margin.
In summary it was acknowledged and accepted
- they had failed to predict demand and timing which will be reviewed and "maybe made a duff decision there"
- failed to provide adequate access to toilet facilities which will be corrected, ie extra forecourt facilities for 2004
- the main building will only be closed for one day, Christmas Day, in 2004. The forecourt with improved facilities will be open.
- the car park should not have been closed and this will not re-occur. The director responsible was not aware this had been done so it looked like a local site issue.
Furthermore I expressed my opinion that considering the terms of the licence to operate a motorway services site they had been rather too near the letter of the contract as opposed to the spirit. This was not contested and it was accepted that this was something they would have to think about. (Equally I accept that this doesn't mean much in real terms, I say this sort of stuff to irate customers and know what happens afterwards)
They politely listened to my points about pricing and service issues and we agreed that market prices have to rule. Those market prices will mean that in effect I use these facilities as little as possible, that is my choice, and others will make other choices. That's cool.
They agreed to pass on my positive comments to the two members of staff on duty at the time, doing a difficult job under pressure.
I'll be getting some vouchers as compensation, not that this makes any difference to my opinion, see comment on market prices.
All in all I was reasonably reassured by the speed and nature of the response that, in one company at least, the service issue might not be dead in the UK, just yet.
Of course words are one thing actions another, lets see how it goes.
regards all,
FiF
|
|
|
|
A good way to avoid the dreaded Motorway Services rip-off is to look for a McDonalds at a retail park close to a junction. (eg. Fosse Park Leicester, Cribbs Causeway Bristol, Meadowhall Sheffield etc etc.) As far as i am aware McDs charges exactly the same prices in all its UK outlets whether in Mansfield high street, on the Motorways or in central London. McDonalds food is no worse than the 'fayre' dished out at Motorway services, many of their outlets are open 24/7 and at half the price of Moto & co they are a sensible option.
|
Folks,
I feel a new thread coming on:- "Just Off The Motorway".
(Yes, I am aware that there is a book about this, but Backroomers probably are the best source of info. for backroomers)
Where are the decent fuel/food/wee stops close to motorway junctions?
Bradgate is right in recommending Fosse Park at the M1/M69 Junction (J21?). A 24hr Asda, Sainsburys, and fast "food" all around 1m from the M1.
Mine?
For true transport cafe food, try "Tinsley Transcaff" just off the south side of the Tinsley viaduct roundabout (M1). Follow signs for airport. Sharp right after 50m. Reverse liposuction. Super..
rg
|
|
|
|
I'd say the three you mention are probably in the top 10 traffic nightmare hotspots at Christmas time - I'd cheerfully pay over the odds to avoid the kind of psychotic driving you see in car parks like those round the season of goodwill!
|
hmm, yes, point taken.
But, hey, I'm counting the days to January when it all gets back to normal! yee-haaa!
Maybe they should do an advent calendar for "grumpy old men at Christmas"
:-)
rg bah humbug
|
If you are planning to travel and don\'t want to be ripped-off at a motorway service station try this web site.
www.5minutesaway.co.uk
|
|
So why didn\'t that post as a link?
|
So why didn\'t that post as a link?
Because you need to put h t t p:// (without spaces between the http) in front of it.
See www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=3&t=11...7 for more info.
|
|
|
|
|
No help from me FiF, I'm afraid. Family Hawkeye are renowned for having enough food and drink aboard the Synergie for a weekend away even if we are only setting off for an hour's trip. Can be very messy, but cheap. Typically we only stop at services to unload ballast.
Hawkeye
-----------------------------
Stranger in a strange land
|
Sither FiF, Hawkeye speaks for a true Yorkshireman.
What's the matter with sarnies and a flask prepared earlier and at a smidgen of the price (and you know its origins).
Seems your into afluency since thee moved sarf.
DVD
|
Na then Hawkeye & DVD, tha owt to know better than to question me on saving brass!
Family FiF were duly packed up with butties and a reet gradely mashing of Yorkshire tea!
Just needed a spot to sort out the input and output modes in peace!
Wouldn't want a turkey/S&O stuffing butty to be taken for a hand held phone, and it's a reet beggar gnawing away at a sarnie lodged in the phone cradle, plays havoc wi't digestion.
Now since I moved sarf I'm into scrumpy!
|
Family FiF were duly packed up with butties and a reet gradely mashing of Yorkshire tea!
That Yorkshire tea grown in Sri Lanka?
Now since I moved sarf I'm into scrumpy!
Now you're talking! After the success of the 2002 NoDosh Apple Wine and the bleedin' awful crop in the orchard this year I will be diversi.... dyffersi.... div... Trying my hand at Cider in 2004.
Gizza shout in October and if the experiment is a success I shall dispatch a flagon or two in your general wotsit.
|
|
|
|
|
I've just come across this thread and it mirrors my experience. The services on the M9 at Kinross were closed at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve. Very annoying. This thread has prompted me to complain to them: does anyone know if these places have to stay oipen all day everyday or can they close? At Kinross the petrol station was open as were the toilets but nowhere for a hot meal and a decent break.
|
FiF kindly let me know the outcome of his discussions with the company responsible for the services. Because he was polite and constructive in his approach they were very helpful in explaining what they set out to provide and where their responsibilities lay.
Were the parking areas also closed off or was it simply that the facilities weren't available?
|
|
The facilities were not available. The parking areas were open along with the petrol station. There was a door in the main building which allowed access to the toliets.
|
The I think they may have fulfilled their obligations. I'm sure FiF will be along shortly to confirm his discussions.
No Dosh
mailto:Alan_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
|
|
|
Robin,
The answers to your questions are found on the Highways Agency website FAQs.
"Who is responsible for motorway service areas in England?
The Highways Agency is responsible for ensuring that all motorway service areas provide at least fuel, free toilets and free short term parking 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It is also responsible for ensuring that these facilities are available to all motorway users including people with disabilities.
Other day-to-day operational issues, including the prices charged and standards of service provided, are matters for individual service area operators."
The minimum service level is defined by the "at least...." above and it seems to me that the services you visited did that.
Now the question is that they might have met the letter of the regulations, but do we as customers find that satisfactory?
It cannot hurt to express your opinions.
|
PS, the service area I had the main complaint about was not the one you mention. Same operator though.
On their website over Christmas they claimed to be offering a limited drinks / snack service from their forecourt shops which was indeed the case.
regds,
FiF
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the information. Looks like they did the minimum required but in no way did they meet the customer's expectations. I'll drop them a line and let them know.
|
|
I wrote a letter to one of the service area operators a year or so ago complaining of the fact that they advertise "2 hours free parking" as if it is wonderful of them. Given the fact that there are restrictions on driving hours for commercial vehicles and that none of us should drive for long periods without a decent break parking should be free for as long as people require TO ENSURE SAFE DRIVING. My letter was prompted by the fact that having just returned from the continent we were faced with a 3 hour delay on the M20, then another hour or so on the M25. By this time it was 3am and I decided a decent kip was in order but had to pay £7 for the privilege. Of course, I could have continued and fallen asleep at the wheel but I paid up, slept for 4 hours and moved on. Needless to say, my letter got a "we are providing everything required for the motorist" reply.But isn't there a contradiction in all these signs which tell us to "take a break" yet they only provide us with "services" which cost a fortune and don't even provide a variety of "services"? Most French service areas have picnic tables, grassy areas to walk, shaded wooded areas, even "exercise circuits", play areas for children etc. What's more you can get a decent proper meal (not just revolting fast food) and a proper coffee from a Gaggia rather than an instant or push button machine. Rant over. Sorry for long post, but I think our services are absolute carp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
