From Motorway Services Online
Bolton West is now generally accepted to be the worst service station in Britain, failing on just about every possible criteria. It was recently sold and is due to be completely rebuilt, but this has been on the cards for a long time.
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Facilities
General: unknown
Restaurants: Burger King
Shops: Retail Store
Fuel: BP (pump types unknown)
Motel: Rivington Lodge (southbound only)
Parking Prices
First two hours free for all vehicles. Further information is not available, please update this if you know.
Trivia
Bolton's main claim to fame is that it starred in Peter Kay's pilot episode for his sketch show 'That Peter Kay Thing' in the early 2000s. The show was a 22-minute mockumentary titled 'At the Services' which took a look at a typical day at Bolton West, including manager Pearl Harbour's quest to impress a celebrity. It's thought that they filmed here because they were the only services to let him, but it seems to be quite a coincidence that most of Peter Kay's films are made in or around the Bolton area.
It used to be owned by BP, with the main facilities being leased out to First, but Euro Garages (who specialise in taking over unpopular petrol stations) took over the petrol station and have recently taken over the whole site. The services are due to be rebuilt, but this has been on the cards for over a year.
This part of the page usually tries to remain neutral, but there really is no other way of putting this: it is appalling. Sure enough, it's the lowest-rated service station on this site, with a shocking average of 1.1 out of 5.
Survey Results
No information is currently available, please update this if you have any.
Alternatives
Further Reading
Comments and Reviews
Showing the most recent responses only: for the full thread and the ability to edit your own posts, you need to view the topic in the forums.
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Anonymous
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Hi,
I live not far away from this dire monstrosity - maybe I can help to fill in the blanks.
I heard from someone that I know that works there that they Service Station was up for sale last year, hence the many notices around that it will be rebuilt. The same people that own this site also own another one in wales somewhere. The Spar company recently took over the forecourt operations and were due to buy the whole site and reportedly offered £7m, but the owners are looking for £12M or £14M for it.
How they would expect to get that for it is unbelievable.
For anyone that has ever bought anything there - you will know that there is a 'crap' surcharge on pretty much every item you buy which is ludicrous. Travelodge got out of their, and another hotel chain obviously changed its mind as well - so now the 'hotel' is called Rivington Lodge.
If you go to the Northbound Petrol station when it's raining, it's the biggest joke in the world - like a sieve. The building itself is so dire, half of it boarded off now, and the Burger King buns left right next to the entrance to the gents - mmmm, how appetising.
Southbound, the Peter Kay featured restaurant has finally died a death, with nothing but a couple of machines, the famous fortune telling machine that frightens the life out of you - and some of the worst toilet facilities known to man.
Only stop for comedy reasons at this one.
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Anonymous
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I was a long distance trucker. I no longer do the job but I use to stay the night regular at bolton services (north bound). It is quite run down but I like it. Its quiet compared to most services. The food served south bound isnt very nice so its best to get a tin of something and cook it in your lorry! Toilets are clean but very old. the M61 is a fairly quiet motorway really and I dont suppose bolton services gets as much trade as others. Hey at least there is always somewhere to park the artic lorry! not like these 'done up modern' services like on the M6 near coventry (cant think of the name off hand) where you have to nearly smash another lorrys cab to peices to park your lorry. Incase your a car driver: did you know lorry drivers have to pay up to £24 to park per night in the services? Keep on Truckin!  |
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Bryn666
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It isn't much better by daylight. My missus needed a loo stop the other day, and with some trepidation I announced to her that the only one between Manchester and home without braving busy New Years shopping chaos was Bolton West.
Her response? "You mean that hole that was on Peter Kay's show?".
We decided to brave it, and went in. The male toilets were flooded with a valiant member of staff (full credit to him to be fair) desperately trying to not have to close them, but he had no other choice.
Inside the building there appears to be a massive area closed off at present, only the shop and Burger King on the northbound are still open. It looks grim, with the ceiling tiles all knackered too.
The car park isn't much better. I ended up parked in a disabled space because it was the only one marked out and I didn't fancy an errant vehicle knocking my car back onto the M61. I didn't see a single street light column - wasn't there originally a vast quantity of high mast lighting on this site, as at neighbouring Birch Services?
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Anonymous
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I was unfortunate to stumble across these services today.
All I can say is they are downright awful. It was after dark when we stopped and not 1 light worked in the car park, there are no signs for anything, in fact it looks almost derelict. We only stopped because our baby had thrown up in the car.
This place is scary, complete darkness all over the site, I wouldn't advise stopping at this place after dark!!
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sheffieldposh
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seasider
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Land of the living dead.
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mh
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I visited these services a while ago they are disgusting they need refurbishing desperately   |
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Roadhog
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Thirded. Rumour has it that the staff alarm still doesnt work, but they only found out when they needed it. Shows the level of care running throughout the entire facility!
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Alan
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I concur. Old fashioned and having character is one thing but scabby and unloved is quite another!
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Johnny
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The lack of comments really doesn't do these services justice, so I'll kick off: it's awful in every possible way.
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| Showing the most recent responses only: for the full thread and the ability to edit your own posts, you need to view the topic in the forums. | | |
Main Page | Photos | Location, Map and Directions
With thanks to James for the information used on this page.
