THE GENERATION GAP

Watford Gap services on the MI needs to be knocked down and replaced by something better suited to today's era and its travellers, says its owner. John Evans finds out more

- John Evans

Jimi Hendrix thought it was a nightclub, in their early days The Beatles regularly dropped in on their way south from Liverpool and Gerry Marsden of the Pacemakers rated it as a good place for a "quick stop and a quick nosh". Welcome to Watford Gap services, located on both sides of the M1, the southbound site being the first motorway services to open in the UK, back in 1959.

With its colourful history as a rest stop for major bands in the 1960s before service stations became more common, Watford Gap has acquired the status of cultural icon. (One waitress sold her book of autographs for £1000.) But if you want to experience its vibe one last time, you'd better be quick because Roadchef, the company that owns it, plans to knock it down and replace it with something more in tune with the 21st century, albeit with a display celebrating its glorious past.

"Watford Gap services is the jewel in Roadchef's crown," explains Amanda Mason, head of marketing at the company. "Customers have a strong emotional attachment to it and there are still people living nearby who, as teenagers, would drop in to see which stars were returning from gigs late at night. But as the gateway to the north and south, both sites need to evolve. People's reasons for wanting to visit - to rest, to eat and to refuel or recharge will remain the same but we need to secure the business for the future and make sure Watford Gap is sustainable."