Tuesday 1st May 1990:
The Granada Service Area And Lodge
(article written by Danny Howell)
The Granada Service Area and Lodge, west of Warminster, adjacent the Bath Road Roundabout, where the Link Road (A350) meets the Warminster Bypass (A36), cost £3.4 million. Work on the site commenced in early 1988 and the completed facilities were opened to the public in February 1989.
It was officially opened by the Mayor of Warminster, Mr. Peter Gough, on Friday 7th April 1989, when Granada’s managing director, Mr. Brian Gatensbury, welcomed guests including the Chairman of West Wiltshire District Council, Mrs. Kay Self. Mr. Gough planted a tree in the courtyard to mark the occasion. The entourage of dignitaries were shown around the motel before having lunch in the restaurant. They were pleased to hear that 62 local people are employed by Granada at the service area which also features a shop and telephone kiosks.
The Lodge features 32 bedrooms offering a high standard of accommodation at budget prices. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom, colour television, radio, wake-up alarm, plus tea and coffee making facilities. The cost is £28 per night. Family rooms, to sleep four, are also available, at £32.
The restaurant has 100 seats and waitress-assisted service. On offer is a comprehensive range of food and drinks, including a self-service salad bar and a carving table serving freshly roasted meats. The menu includes a choice of steak, gammon steak, seafood, scampi, chicken kiev, and several hot vegetable dishes. Cooked-to-order meals are also available. When the Service Area opened it was estimated that the weekly consumption would include 1,800 eggs, 1,100 rashers of bacon, 1,400 sausages, 5,000 pots of tea and 4,200 cups of coffee.
Outside is parking for 80 cars, 2 coaches and 30 lorries. The lorry park was partly paid for by the County Council. Parking for up to two hours is free. The charge for commercial vehicles staying 2-24 hours is £5 (including £1.50 meal ticket). Caravans with/including cars may stay for 2-24 hours for £3.50. Private vehicles stopping 2-24 hours pay £2. Those wishing to park for more than 24 hours have to make prior arrangements. Those parking in excess are liable to a charge of the parking fee plus £5 for invoicing. Any motorists parking in unauthorised areas risk a £20 penalty.
The petrol station retails Esso fuel, both leaded and unleaded petrol, plus diesel. The forecourt features an Esso shop, and the area surrounding the petrol station and the Lodge has been attractively landscaped with trees and shrubs.
First published in Warminster & District Archive magazine, No.4, published Tuesday 1st May 1990.