WHSmith convenience store at Winchester Southbound, located left of the main entrance, next to the new Greggs unit. WHSmith is a basic brand at Winchester, but a vital facility which remains open 24 hours to cater for all types of motorists. WHSmith are the key-holders for the Disabled toilets here, & WHSmith is home to F’real milkshakes, Costa Express machines & a Krispy Kreme cabinet. By providing these additional, smaller cabinets with brand names, WHSmith becomes more attractive as without these, many would find the facility too basic. As per usual, WHSmith “spills out” onto the main concourse. This is typically the case as they don’t have enough space to sell the products they want to sell, however, doing this can make the shop more obvious. It’s yet to be renovated with WHSmith’s new styling, as seen at Clacket Lane. By selling coffee and food, WHSmith makes up the majority of motorway services’ legal requirements, which is the main reason all Moto-operated WHSmith stores remained open during lockdown with some providing hot meals for HGV drivers. Ever since M&S opened at Winchester in early 2017, WHSmith has become less important as it’s no longer the only shop here and some products WHSmith sell, you can also get at M&S (albeit own-brand M&S). WHSmith would’ve opened at Winchester South around 2008/2009, around the time Moto purchased the site in 2008. It replaced Roadchef’s former own-brand convenience store “reStore”. WHSmith is a prime example of motorway services using high street brands to attract customers as many will know WHSmith and have an idea of what they sell. WHSmith are also known for inflating their motorway prices, again putting some off and shifting trade towards M&S, which is probably better value for money. WHSmith was empty during my visit as Winchester South was eerily quiet despite being 11am. WHSmith is not signposted from the M3 South, but is advertised from the exterior of the amenity building and at various points around the site.

Photo taken on 03/04/2024 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Winchester, WHSmith, Moto, M3