Gloucester Services named the best in Britain
Gloucester Services has been ranked the best motorway service station in Britain, by a consumer survey.
The M5 site has been recognised as the best in the country by those using the facilities.
Out of all 68 motorway service stations, Gloucester's ranked number one, receiving four out of five stars for all categories with a customer score of 86 per cent.
One visitor said it was “as far from a typical motorway stop as you can imagine”, with customers praising its “fabulous” farm shop selling home-cooked meals and local produce.
At the other end of the scale – an hour’s drive away – was Bridgwater Services, which ranked the worst in Britain.
The station in Somerset was awarded just one star out of five for all categories analysed by consumer group Which?, including cleanliness, range of facilities and prices.
The Moto-owned site received an overall customer score of just 32%.
Recent visitors described the venue as “dirty” and “depressing”, and others complained of a urine smell and toilet paper strewn on the floor.
Another claimed it “should be demolished”.
Bridgwater’s location means it is often used by tourists heading to and from Cornwall and Devon.
The findings were based on around 5,600 experiences by 2,700 consumers at 68 motorway service areas.
Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “The results of our survey show that it pays to plan ahead to avoid some of the UK’s worst motorway services.
“It could be the difference between a home-cooked meal in peaceful surroundings, or crowded queues in downright dirty facilities.
“Whether you’re zipping down the M5 towards the beaches on the south-west coast, or up the M6 towards the Scottish border, make sure your journey isn’t spoiled by a stop at a shoddy service station.”
Moto CEO Ken McMeikan said: “I am appalled by the score at our Bridgwater site.
“This does not reflect the standards we aspire to across all of our sites and I can absolutely guarantee that all of the issues raised will be dealt with immediately to ensure we get Bridgwater back to the standard we know our customers expect and deserve.”
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