Hope & Champion

[Boots60]

Britain's first motorway services pub the Hope & Champion is due to open this week at jct.2 on the M40.
Does anyone have any views on what will undoubtably be the first of many such establishments?
I am fairly sure the pub will be devoid of any sort of atmosphere & will definitely not be the sort of pub a traditionalist would ever use.
From a personal point, the only time I would ever use it is as a travelling Leicester City fan as a bus passenger on route to an away game, which at present would be Reading this April & hopefully Southampton next season.
More importantly will this lead to an increase in drink driving & the potentially fatal implications that may result?
I am all for freedom of choice but will this turn out to be a good or bad thing?

[Maldenman]

My view is that people who will drink and drive will drink and drive anyway. We have had roadside pubs all along, I'm not sure allowing alcohol sales at service stations would tempt people to drink who wouldn't normally although as a marketing exercise I find the concept a bit strange.

[Mobyduck]

My view is that people who will drink and drive will drink and drive anyway. We have had roadside pubs all along, I'm not sure allowing alcohol sales at service stations would tempt people to drink who wouldn't normally although as a marketing exercise I find the concept a bit strange.
I think Maldenman has nailed it, I cant see myself stopping at such a place anyway.

[Aqualung]

My view is that people who will drink and drive will drink and drive anyway. We have had roadside pubs all along, I'm not sure allowing alcohol sales at service stations would tempt people to drink who wouldn't normally although as a marketing exercise I find the concept a bit strange.

This is exactly what I thought. It's a Spoons and I imagine the ale selection will be fairly limited, the emphaisis being on food and soft drinks. I've not been to an airport Spoons as they are on my avoid list due to lack of public access but I would expect it to be rather like one of them.
I doubt if the daytime Spoons brigade will be much in evidence!

[PaulOfHorsham]

Worth pointing out that this establishment is not on the M40 as such, as it is accessible from the local road network. Indeed, there seems to be a football ground (Slough Town, perhaps?) just across the road (the A355).

[Soup Dragon]

If it charges like other service station facilities - eg Burger King - you couldn't afford more than a half anyhow

[aleandhearty]

My view is that people who will drink and drive will drink and drive anyway. We have had roadside pubs all along, I'm not sure allowing alcohol sales at service stations would tempt people to drink who wouldn't normally although as a marketing exercise I find the concept a bit strange.


I cant see myself stopping at such a place.

Pretty much how I feel.

[Bucking Fastard]

Has anyone put this on the site ? Is it pending on Add Pub ,I know Dave has approved a lot recently :notworthy:

[bcfczuluarmy]

Has anyone put this on the site ? Is it pending on Add Pub ,I know Dave has approved a lot recently :notworthy:

No, we currently have no pubs awaiting approval.

[Bucking Fastard]

Has anyone put this on the site ? Is it pending on Add Pub ,I know Dave has approved a lot recently :notworthy:

Oops there already :o Thanks Mr McGraw :notworthy:

[london calling]

Oops there already :o Thanks Mr McGraw :notworthy:

Surprisingly not 24 hrs. Open 4.00am till 1.00 am Is this to stop the locals coming in when all the other pubs shut.Still a 3 hr wait isn't too bad.
In support of Wetherspoon having the bottle to give it a go their biggest selling drinks are diet pepsi and coffee.

[NickDavies]

Surprisingly not 24 hrs. Open 4.00am till 1.00 am Is this to stop the locals coming in when all the other pubs shut.Still a 3 hr wait isn't too bad.
In support of Wetherspoon having the bottle to give it a go their biggest selling drinks are diet pepsi and coffee.


Not licensed till 9AM though

[Gann]

First in with a review as I pass here most days...

Unfortunately I had my self opinionated head on this morning so have not sat on the fence with regards to my view of a Wetherspoons in a service station , which I'm sure will not be in line with everybody.

And for Paul the football ground opposite is Beaconsfield SYCOB FC.

[Bucking Fastard]

Sounds fair enough to me,well done for being the first to venture forth.......

[oldboots]

Unfortunately I had my self opinionated head on this morning so have not sat on the fence with regards to my view of a Wetherspoons in a service station , which I'm sure will not be in line with everybody.

probably in line with the thoughts of most of us on here, do they take CAMRA vouchers though?

[Aqualung]

This is probably the most relevant review for the outside world on this site.
Whether the meeja take the slightest notice of it seems unlikely.

[Quinno]

do they take CAMRA vouchers though?

Let's get to the important bit, eh OB? :D