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-   -   Motorway Pub Opens Despite Opposition (https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245065)

lily. 21-01-2014 08:43 AM

Motorway Pub Opens Despite Opposition
 
Quote:

The manager of the pub at a service area on the M40 says it will serve the local community, but the RAC says only 12% support it.

A new £1m pub has opened at a motorway service station, in the face of fierce criticism from road safety and alcohol campaigners.

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon says The Hope & Champion will be open from 4am to 1am, seven days a week.

The venue is located in the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

It is the first pub ever to be opened at a motorway service area, and will sell real ale from local and regional brewers.

But critics say the location of the pub is "at odds" with public opinion.

The RAC said a survey of 2,000 people showed only 12% of respondents supported putting pubs into motorway service stations.

Around two-thirds said they did not agree with the move, with older drivers more likely to oppose the sale of alcohol at motorway service areas.

Only 8% of over-55s were in favour, with 71% against, while almost one in five of those aged between 18 and 34 were in support.

The RAC's head of external affairs Pete Williams said: "The public appear to be very much against the introduction of motorway pubs.

"In our view this is a risky and frankly unnecessary move. The question we are struggling to answer is - of all the places to open a pub, why choose a motorway service station?

"The temptation to drink and drive can only be increased by easier access to alcohol."

But Steve Baldwin, manager of the new pub, said the venue would serve the local community.

"The Extra Motorway Service Area, now including The Hope & Champion, primarily serves the motorway users, but its facilities are also available to the surrounding community from the local road network," he said.

Sir Ian Gilmore, Royal College of Physicians special adviser on alcohol and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: "I am disappointed by the decision to open a JD Wetherspoon on the M40.

"We are trying to prevent harm from alcohol-related traffic accidents and this sends out completely the wrong message."
Source


Is this a bad idea or are people overreacting to it? Discuss...

Z 21-01-2014 09:14 AM

What's the point? Drink driving is illegal, why from a business point of view would you open a pub in a motorway service station? Okay people might come and sit there with an orange juice for a while if they're wanting to take a break from driving but they could do that at a cafe... I can understand the opposition completely

Cherie 21-01-2014 09:15 AM

This has got to be the worst idea in the history of bad ideas.

arista 21-01-2014 10:00 AM

many will use it without drinking , though

Me. I Am Salman 21-01-2014 10:08 AM

Very bad idea

Jesus. 21-01-2014 10:14 AM

Excellent idea. The amount of times I've been driving on the motorway at 3.55 am thinking about having some shots are too many to count. I foresee no potential problems with this at all.

Although if you can't see a pub without having to have a drink, then that's your issue.

MTVN 21-01-2014 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee (Post 6643265)
What's the point? Drink driving is illegal, why from a business point of view would you open a pub in a motorway service station? Okay people might come and sit there with an orange juice for a while if they're wanting to take a break from driving but they could do that at a cafe... I can understand the opposition completely

A lot of Wetherspoons business is non drinking though, like all their meals are pretty good food at really affordable prices and especially their breakfasts are quite popular I think

I don't think it's that big a deal anyway, ok so it's right by a motorway but all pubs are by roadsides anyway really aren't they, if someone was driving and really did want a drink they could leave the motorway and be at a pub within not that long usually. This might be more convenient but people are sensible enough to not suddenly start chucking drink down their neck just cos there's a pub in a service station. I imagine most of the drink trade will be things like big coachloads of people and that sort of thing.

Niamh. 21-01-2014 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTVN (Post 6643408)
A lot of Wetherspoons business is non drinking though, like all their meals are pretty good food at really affordable prices and especially their breakfasts are quite popular I think

I don't think it's that big a deal anyway, ok so it's right by a motorway but all pubs are by roadsides anyway really aren't they, if someone was driving and really did want a drink they could leave the motorway and be at a pub within not that long usually. This might be more convenient but people are sensible enough to not suddenly start chucking drink down their neck just cos there's a pub in a service station. I imagine most of the drink trade will be things like big coachloads of people and that sort of thing.

I'd imagine the food trade would be their main aim tbh and having it at right by the motorway is a perfect place to get trade from people who are on long journeys and need to stop for food. I really don't think having a pub near a motorway is going to make people who wouldn't normally drink and drive suddenly decide to do so.

Over here people go to the pub on their lunch breaks alot for food, they have trays with pints of water lined up on the counter, pubs make big money on food.

So yeah, in short I don't see the problem

Alf 21-01-2014 10:44 AM

This is the worst idea since Abraham Lincoln said to his wife "I'm sick of kicking around the house all day, let's go take in a show"

Jesus. 21-01-2014 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannashag (Post 6643424)
This is the worst idea since wannashag said to his wife "I'm sick of only supporting one team, lets take in the most bitter of teams as well"

Fixed.

Nedusa 21-01-2014 11:05 AM

This is a very bad idea as tempts people to have an alcoholic drink and then go and drive at 80mph on a Motorway...

I'm seeing major death and disaster ahead.

Cannot understand how permission for this was granted...!!!!

Kate! 21-01-2014 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTVN (Post 6643408)
A lot of Wetherspoons business is non drinking though, like all their meals are pretty good food at really affordable prices and especially their breakfasts are quite popular I think

I don't think it's that big a deal anyway, ok so it's right by a motorway but all pubs are by roadsides anyway really aren't they, if someone was driving and really did want a drink they could leave the motorway and be at a pub within not that long usually. This might be more convenient but people are sensible enough to not suddenly start chucking drink down their neck just cos there's a pub in a service station. I imagine most of the drink trade will be things like big coachloads of people and that sort of thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus. (Post 6643382)
Excellent idea. The amount of times I've been driving on the motorway at 3.55 am thinking about having some shots are too many to count. I foresee no potential problems with this at all.

Although if you can't see a pub without having to have a drink, then that's your issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh. (Post 6643416)
I'd imagine the food trade would be their main aim tbh and having it at right by the motorway is a perfect place to get trade from people who are on long journeys and need to stop for food. I really don't think having a pub near a motorway is going to make people who wouldn't normally drink and drive suddenly decide to do so.

Over here people go to the pub on their lunch breaks alot for food, they have trays with pints of water lined up on the counter, pubs make big money on food.

So yeah, in short I don't see the problem

Some pertinent points here. I don't see the problem with it personally, although I can understand the knee jerk reaction of "omg selling alcohol at a services station". However if you think about it, Wetherspoons IS primarily known for it's food and low priced deals, they do cracking breakfasts btw :love: (sorry, I'm digressing) and it seems to me that it will be very convenient for the majority of drivers to have this facility especially on long journeys, I'm guessing that this will set a precedent and more will soon be introduced at different locations, if it's a success and I believe it will be.

Let's not get carried away by scaremongering; if someone is inclined to drink and drive then it's in their character and they will do it anyway. Consider this, many a service station has a Pizza Hut in the locality, they serve alcoholic drinks, I've never heard anyone protesting about that?

I don't see a problem.

Niamh. 21-01-2014 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Kate* (Post 6643490)
Some pertinent points here. I don't see the problem with it personally, although I can understand the knee jerk reaction of "omg selling alcohol at a services station". However if you think about it, Wetherspoons IS primarily known for it's food and low priced deals, they do cracking breakfasts btw :love: (sorry, I'm digressing) and it seems to me that it will be very convenient for the majority of drivers to have this facility especially on long journeys, I'm guessing that this will set a precedent and more will soon be introduced at different locations, if it's a success and I believe it will be.

Let's not get carried away by scaremongering; if someone is inclined to drink and drive then it's in their character and they will do it anyway. Consider this, many a service station has a Pizza Hut in the locality, they serve alcoholic drinks, I've never heard anyone protesting about that?

I don't see a problem.

No to mention petrol stations sell bottles of wine and sometimes beer as well.. (well they do here anyway)

Kate! 21-01-2014 11:35 AM

Yes they do here as well Niamh. Good point.

Alf 21-01-2014 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus. (Post 6643456)
Fixed.

I don't get it

Niamh. 21-01-2014 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewy (Post 6643566)
It'd be everyone's issue if said person gets behind the wheel of a car, though.

I just don't get this logic though, there are pubs everywhere, if someone wants to drink and drive having one less pub isn't going to stop that. And people who aren't inclined to drink and drive aren't going to suddenly start doing so because there's a pub nearby

Scarlett. 21-01-2014 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh. (Post 6643570)
I just don't get this logic though, there are pubs everywhere, if someone wants to drink and drive having one less pub isn't going to stop that. And people who aren't inclined to drink and drive aren't going to suddenly start doing so because there's a pub nearby

Maybe, I deleted the post after you quoted, because I read that the pub was a Weatherspoons, not a pub-pub as I first thought, lol.

Kizzy 21-01-2014 11:59 AM

I'm sceptical, in theory it sounds like a recipe for disaster but in practice who knows?
Mobile breathalysers would be a fantastic addition to places like this, most I'm sure wouldn't risk more than one drink if any.
But if you wanted to make sure? however, then you would be trapped up the M40.... :laugh:

Niamh. 21-01-2014 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewy (Post 6643578)
Maybe, I deleted the post after you quoted, because I read that the pub was a Weatherspoons, not a pub-pub as I first thought, lol.

Oh I'm sorry, i didn't notice you had deleted it

Scarlett. 21-01-2014 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niamh. (Post 6643600)
Oh I'm sorry, i didn't notice you had deleted it

No problem :joker: I think its more resonable opening a Weatherspoons on a motorway than just a normal pub, it'd just seem strange opening a normal pub there, lol.

Niamh. 21-01-2014 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewy (Post 6643617)
No problem :joker: I think its more resonable opening a Weatherspoons on a motorway than just a normal pub, it'd just seem strange opening a normal pub there, lol.

Well, I don't think a pub that didn't serve food would even want to open on a motorway, I doubt financially it would make any sense to them, there's a big market and big money for the food trade on a motorway though I would imagine

Brother Leon 21-01-2014 12:18 PM

Meh. I would stop by there for some food if I had a long journey and I suppose any passengers in the car could have a quick drink. No problem to me. It's up to the driver to be responsible really.

Crimson Dynamo 21-01-2014 01:19 PM

I deal for passengers who fancy a pint or if you fancy a quick 2 pints on your journey.

Kate! 21-01-2014 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Leon (Post 6643668)
Meh. I would stop by there for some food if I had a long journey and I suppose any passengers in the car could have a quick drink. No problem to me. It's up to the driver to be responsible really.

Precisely this

lily. 21-01-2014 02:02 PM

The guy from JDW was on the Sky News this morning and he made the point that there are any number of places where alcohol can be bought and consumed if the driver just leaves the motorway for a mile or two, therefore anyone wishing to have a drink, whether they are driving or not, can feasibly get one anyway. I do see his point.

However, I think it's a bold move business-wise because it's already attracting negative attention. All it's going to take now is for someone to decide to get drunk at that pub, then drive, and you know there will be a media shit-storm.


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