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Copdock: Difference between revisions

m Trivia and Design: I have worked out when it was sold!
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Updates following today's visit
 
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{{Services
{{Services
|type = non primary
|type = non primary
|name = Copdock Mill
|road = A1214 near Copdock
|road = A1214 near Copdock
|image = Tesco PFS Copdock 2020.jpg
|image = Tesco PFS Copdock 2024.jpg
|postcode = IP8 3TT
|postcode = IP8 3TT
|maplink = http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=52.038369,1.099792&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=52.037393,1.100264&sspn=0.011325,0.027595&ie=UTF8&ll=52.040138,1.100349&spn=0.045298,0.110378&z=15
|operator = Tesco
|operator = Tesco
|prevop = [[Welcome Break]]
|stype = Single site located at a junction
|stype = Single site located at a junction.
|coords = 52.039274, 1.0982466
|coords = 52.038661, 1.098536
|signposted = limited
|signed = Limited signage
|briefroad = A1214 Copdock Interchange
|briefroad = A1214 near Copdock
|markerpost = 3188 }}
|markerpost = 3116 }}


Today there is a retail park next to the A1214 which is signposted as services. Historically, it was a major service area on the [[A12]] and the [[A14]], but most of the signs were taken down in 2011. The services can still be accessed from A14 J55.
Today there is a retail park next to the A1214 which is signposted as services. Historically, it was a major service area on the [[A12]] and what is now the [[A14]], but most of the signs were taken down in 2010. The services can still be accessed from A14 J55.


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
{{facilities| Restaurants | {{Burger King|drivethru=yes}}, {{Costa}}, [[Pizza Hut]], Tesco Café |nonprimary}}
{{facilities| Catering | {{Burger King|drivethru=yes}} |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Shops | B&M Home Store, Currys PC World, Carphone Warehouse, Tesco Extra |nonprimary}}
{{facilities| Outdoor Space | Grass area at back of car park; public footpath connections |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | Tesco, AdBlue Containers, Car Wash |nonprimary}}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Tesco}}, {{Costa Express}}, Car Wash |nonprimary }}
 
Other facilities are available as part of the retail park but these are the only facilities signposted as part of official signage.


==Parking Prices==
==Parking Prices==
Parking is reserved for users of the respective stores. In addition, a number of HGV spaces are provided next to the petrol station (charges not known).
Parking is reserved for users of the respective stores. In addition, a number of HGV spaces are provided next to the petrol station.
 
{{Parking Disclaimer}}
 
==Contact Details==
{{Contact Details
|address = Burger King (UK) Ltd{{newline}}
Copdock Interchange{{newline}}
Ipswich{{newline}}
Suffolk{{newline}}
IP8 3TT
|foursquare = 4cdd6be614119eb02838ed33
|websites =
* [https://locations.burgerking.co.uk/ipswich/copdock-interchange Official Burger King website]
* [https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/ipswich/copdock-interchange Official Tesco website]
|3words = judge.threading.bangle
}}
 
==Trivia and History==
[[File:Mothercare Copdock 2023.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=Mothercare store.|Mothercare replaced the Welcome Break amenity building.]]
Copdock really shouldn't count as a service area; it is no more special than any other supermarket next to a fast food restaurant. However, on the A1214, Suffolk County Council continue to erect signs saying 'Services', either as a tribute to the site's unusual history or a reference to the lorry parking.
 
The London Road park and ride site is accessed through this area too.
 
===Development===
[[File:Copdock sign 2023.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=Turn right sign with a blue swerve on top.|The final surviving piece of Welcome Break branding, still located in the Burger King drive thru.]]
You wouldn't guess it today, but this service area was actually part of the [[Welcome Break]] estate. They and [[Granada]] were in competition to cover the most ground, and both were looking at A-roads.


==Trivia and Design==
The Tesco superstore opened in November 1987, and the main service area is understood to have opened in the same month. The main amenity building was a low, brick building with a tall, red roof. Inside was [[The Granary]] and a branded shop.
[[File:WB Copdock 2020.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=Mothercare Copdock.|Mothercare replaces the Welcome Break amenity building.]]
Copdock really shouldn't count as a service area; it is no more special than any other supermarket next to a fast food restaurant. However, on the A1214, Suffolk County Council continue to erect signs saying 'Services', probably as a tribute to the site's unusual history or a reference to the lorry parking.


The London Road park and ride site is accessed through the site too.
The site was named after the Copdock Mill Interchange on what was the A45. This was itself was named after the nearby Copdock watermill. As a result, the interior of the main building was themed around mills. The décor included a model of a windmill sail, photographs of local mills and a mural by David Fisher.


===History===
The petrol station behind it was branded [[Texaco]], and operated by Welcome Break, with HGV parking alongside it. The exit route - which involved driving around the supermarket - was at least half a mile longer than the simple and direct entry route.
You wouldn't notice it today, but the place was first opened by [[Welcome Break]] in the early 1990s. They and [[Granada]] were in competition to cover the most ground, and both were looking at A-roads.


The Tesco superstore opened in November 1987 and pre-dates the service area (which, in a leaflet dated before 1992, was said to be "opening soon"). The land may have all been sold at the same time.
===Demise===
The site appears to have quietly closed at the end of 1994, after only a short life and leaving behind little evidence. A planning application to demolish it was registered in July 1994, with Abbeygate Developments signing a contract that September, but Welcome Break were still promoting it in their October 1994 advertising campaign.  


The services were usually named '''Copdock Mill''' and would have been similar to [[Ross Spur]]. It was a low, brick building with a tall, red roof. Inside was [[The Granary]] and a branded shop. It's thought Welcome Break operated the forecourt (branded [[Texaco]] at the time, now branded Tesco), with HGV parking (still there today) behind it. Opposite was an amenity building (now Mothercare) and a car park.
Regardless of exactly when it closed, the petrol station was sold to Tesco (the main supermarket has since been extended to bring it much closer to the petrol station), and the amenity building was demolished and replaced by Mothercare. A Burger King was built in the car park.


Evidence suggests that Welcome Break sold the site in 1993. This is because there are posters which advertise both Copdock Mill and [[Pease Pottage]] (opened 1992), but none which list both Copdock Mill and Abington (opened 1993). The land was sold to the adjacent retail parks. Tesco have since built a new entrance from the forecourt, and the Mothercare car park has a new entrance. The Burger King was then added to the car park.
Following the closure of the main facility, Highways England eventually removed the road signs from their roads in 2016, but the local authority continues to promote the retail park as a service area.


The lamps with the two globes are evidence of the original lighting, and until 2016 there was still one sign in the car park with Welcome Break branding.
===Legacy===
Despite the lack of detail available, there is {{current|still}} a tiny amount of evidence of the site left: a single Welcome Break styled road sign in the Burger King drive thru, and there are a few double-globed street lights in the car park.


The main building now lies empty once again following the collapse of the Mothercare chain.
Following the collapse of Mothercare in 2019, that store closed. The building later became home to Poundland in September 2023.


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==
Line 46: Line 72:
{{Succession|1|A14| [[Beacon Hill]] (9 miles) |
{{Succession|1|A14| [[Beacon Hill]] (9 miles) |
[[Orwell]] (5 miles) }}
[[Orwell]] (5 miles) }}
{{Succession|1|A12| [[Capel St Mary]] (4 miles) |
{{Succession|1|A12| [[Capelgate]] (4 miles) |
[[Orwell]] (5 miles) }}
[[Orwell]] (5 miles) }}
</table>
</table>


[[Category:Welcome Break]][[Category:A-roads (no motorway)]][[Category:A-roads]][[Category:A12]][[Category:A14]][[Category:Not Signed]]
{{bottomnav|noreview=true}}
[[Category:Welcome Break]][[Category:A-roads (no motorway)]][[Category:A12]][[Category:A14]][[Category:Not Signed]]

Latest revision as of 13:22, 14 November 2024

Copdock Mill
Location:

A1214 near Copdock

(Limited road signage.)

Postcode:

IP8 3TT

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Single site located at a junction.


Today there is a retail park next to the A1214 which is signposted as services. Historically, it was a major service area on the A12 and what is now the A14, but most of the signs were taken down in 2010. The services can still be accessed from A14 J55.

Facilities

Catering: Burger King Drive Thru Outdoor Space: Grass area at back of car park; public footpath connections Forecourt: Tesco, Costa Express, Car Wash

Other facilities are available as part of the retail park but these are the only facilities signposted as part of official signage.

Parking Prices

Parking is reserved for users of the respective stores. In addition, a number of HGV spaces are provided next to the petrol station.

This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Burger King (UK) Ltd
Copdock Interchange
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP8 3TT


Trivia and History

Mothercare store.
Mothercare replaced the Welcome Break amenity building.

Copdock really shouldn't count as a service area; it is no more special than any other supermarket next to a fast food restaurant. However, on the A1214, Suffolk County Council continue to erect signs saying 'Services', either as a tribute to the site's unusual history or a reference to the lorry parking.

The London Road park and ride site is accessed through this area too.

Development

Turn right sign with a blue swerve on top.
The final surviving piece of Welcome Break branding, still located in the Burger King drive thru.

You wouldn't guess it today, but this service area was actually part of the Welcome Break estate. They and Granada were in competition to cover the most ground, and both were looking at A-roads.

The Tesco superstore opened in November 1987, and the main service area is understood to have opened in the same month. The main amenity building was a low, brick building with a tall, red roof. Inside was The Granary and a branded shop.

The site was named after the Copdock Mill Interchange on what was the A45. This was itself was named after the nearby Copdock watermill. As a result, the interior of the main building was themed around mills. The décor included a model of a windmill sail, photographs of local mills and a mural by David Fisher.

The petrol station behind it was branded Texaco, and operated by Welcome Break, with HGV parking alongside it. The exit route - which involved driving around the supermarket - was at least half a mile longer than the simple and direct entry route.

Demise

The site appears to have quietly closed at the end of 1994, after only a short life and leaving behind little evidence. A planning application to demolish it was registered in July 1994, with Abbeygate Developments signing a contract that September, but Welcome Break were still promoting it in their October 1994 advertising campaign.

Regardless of exactly when it closed, the petrol station was sold to Tesco (the main supermarket has since been extended to bring it much closer to the petrol station), and the amenity building was demolished and replaced by Mothercare. A Burger King was built in the car park.

Following the closure of the main facility, Highways England eventually removed the road signs from their roads in 2016, but the local authority continues to promote the retail park as a service area.

Legacy

Despite the lack of detail available, there is still a tiny amount of evidence of the site left: a single Welcome Break styled road sign in the Burger King drive thru, and there are a few double-globed street lights in the car park.

Following the collapse of Mothercare in 2019, that store closed. The building later became home to Poundland in September 2023.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Beacon Hill (9 miles)Services on the A14Orwell (5 miles)
Capelgate (4 miles)Services on the A12Orwell (5 miles)