Motorway Services Online

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Dover Port: Difference between revisions

m well it's not there any more
m confirmation that Barnacles Bar moved to PSB East. But I've now learned of two more facilities!
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Motorway operator Moto also operate a pair of facilities buildings for people passing through two of the terminals at Dover's Eastern Docks. This page covers those terminal buildings '''only''', not the whole docks complex.
While Dover Port has never actually been a motorway service area (it's only accessible to port traffic and not passer-bys), its facilities look and are managed like one. That's because its restaurants and shops have always been outsourced to motorway service area operators.
 
This page describes those operations only, not the whole of Dover Port itself.


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
{{facilities| Restaurants | {{Burger King}}, {{Costa}}, {{Costa Express}} |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Restaurants | {{Burger King}}, {{Costa}}, {{Costa Express}} |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Shops | {{WHSmith}} |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Shops | {{WHSmith}} |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Amenities | [[Full Hou$e]] |nonprimary }}
{{facilities| Amenities | {{Full House}}, Travelex Bureau de Change |nonprimary }}
 
A Travelex Bureau de Change and information desk are also provided within the docks, but not ran by Moto.


==Contact Details==
==Contact Details==
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{{Key Date | 2004 | T3 opened }}
{{Key Date | 2004 | T3 opened }}
{{Key Date | 2021 | T1 closed }} }}
{{Key Date | 2021 | T1 closed }} }}
The Terminal 1 building was built by [[Welcome Break]]. It opened on 9 July 1990, following a £2.5m investment. A poster dated 1992 stated that it was available to HGV drivers only, although other reports described it as a "passenger" terminal.
Forte won a contract to provide the catering and retail services at Dover's Eastern Docks in 1990. Since then, the responsibility has passed between a number of motorway service area operators.


For Welcome Break, the development gave Forte access to an increasingly important trading route, while for Eastern Docks it formed one of a number of investments in passenger facilities which they were making at the time. The main facility was a [[The Granary|Granary]] restaurant.
Internally, the only differences between the terminal facilities and their cousins on the motorways are that the shops stock more items related to driving in Europe, the dining areas display departure information and there are more currency exchanges. Externally, the buildings are managed by Port of Dover.


Additional toilets were provided at the back because the building was only open during the daytime. Outside, the roof extended to one side, where it acted as a coach interchange. The main entrance was a revolving door positioned in one corner.
The current operator, Moto, does not display their own branding very prominently at all, preferring to use the [[Burger King]] logo instead. Until 2010, Moto didn't list Dover in any of their publicity, making their operation here a bit of a secret for only the most devoted Moto fans.
 
===Terminal 1===
The Terminal 1 building was built for use by [[Welcome Break]]. It opened on 9 July 1990, following a £2.5m investment. A poster dated 1992 stated that it was available to HGV drivers only, although other reports described it as a "passenger" terminal.
 
For Welcome Break, the development gave Forte access to an increasingly important trading route, while for Eastern Docks it formed one of a number of investments in passenger facilities which they were making at the time. The main facility was a [[The Granary|Granary]] restaurant, with a shop and toilets, all arranged along a corridor. A Bureau de Change was also provided.
 
Additional toilets were provided at the back because the building was only open during the daytime. Outside, the roof extended to one side, where it acted as a coach interchange. The main entrance was a revolving door positioned in one corner. The roof was initially painted yellow, but soon painted green.


As with most Welcome Break locations, David Fisher was commissioned to paint some artwork. At Dover T1 the mural was dedicated to the destinations served from Dover.
As with most Welcome Break locations, David Fisher was commissioned to paint some artwork. At Dover T1 the mural was dedicated to the destinations served from Dover.


The facility became property of [[Granada]] when they took over the company in 1995. As it wasn't a motorway service area, Granada weren't forced to sell it off, so they kept it and extended it. The restaurant became [[Fresh Express]], with a [[Burger King]].
The facility became property of [[Granada]] when they took over the company in 1995. Although Granada were forced to sell all the Welcome Break motorway service areas, this wasn't a motorway service area so instead it was able to become Granada branded. The restaurant became [[Fresh Express]], with a [[Burger King]], and a [[Gscape]] game arcade was added.


This building was then run by their successors, [[Moto]]. It was not branded Moto, but instead "Food Village"; a brick building with green paint and blue signage. The main restaurant became Moto's [[EDC]] and [[Caffe Ritazza|Caffè Ritazza]] combination, which were later replaced by [[Costa]]. It's believed that Barnacles Bar, which had its own building in the port until 2008, also moved here.
This building was then run by their successors, [[Moto]]. The Granada logo was taken down and replaced by a sign saying "Food Village"; this name was also promoted online using Dover Port's blue colour scheme. Internally it became known as "Passenger Service Building East".


Inside it still had its original brown tiled flooring, with facilities arranged along a corridor. The main shop became [[WHSmith]], but sold more gifts and stock related to driving in Europe than the usual Moto stock. Similarly the dining areas provided ferry departure information; unsurprising for a port but unusual for a Moto. There were offices upstairs.
The main restaurant became Moto's [[EDC]] and [[Caffe Ritazza|Caffè Ritazza]] combination, which were later replaced by [[Costa]]. The shop became [[WHSmith]]. A report dated 2006 stated that Moto were managing a bar and a Franklin's of Boston here, too.


A second catering building was built use by Moto in 2004. This one is in Terminal 3, and branded "Broadwalk Shopping". This used a more modern, tall design with a glass front and seating spread over two levels. The two buildings were often labelled "Passenger Service Building" (PSB) "West" and "East".
As part of Dover's Brexit management plan, the Terminal 1 building was demolished in June 2021. At the time, fireman's switch on the building was still labelled "Granada", while the original brown tiled flooring was still used throughout the main corridor.


Until 2016, a Caffè Ritazza outlet was still advertised on the big screens next to each dock, even though it hadn't existed as part of the facilities for some time.
===Terminal 2===
A report from 2006 stated that Moto operated a shop and a Franklin's of Boston in Dover Terminal 2. Details of when this opened and closed aren't clear.


As part of Dover's Brexit management plan, the Terminal 1 building was demolished in June 2021. At the time, fireman's switch on the building was still labelled "Granada".
As of 2021, some internal Moto documents still list Dover Terminal 2 as one of their sites.
 
===Terminal 3===
A second catering building was built for use by Moto in 2004. This one was in Terminal 3, branded "Broadwalk Shopping", but known internally as "Passenger Service Building West".
 
It used a more modern, tall design with a glass front and seating spread over two levels, with the second level acting as a viewing platform. Similar facilities were offered inside: [[Burger King]], [[Caffe Ritazza|Caffè Ritazza]], [[Gscape]] game arcade, a Travelex Bureau de Change and a shopping area which used the Broadwalk name.
 
The Terminal 3 facilities were updated as with the rest of Moto's estate, with the coffee shop becoming [[Costa]], the shop becoming [[WHSmith]] and the arcade becoming [[Full Hou$e]]. Until 2016, a Caffè Ritazza outlet was still advertised on the big screens next to each dock, even though it hadn't existed as part of the facilities for some time.


===Similar Facilities===
===Similar Facilities===
There was a [[Mobil]] filling station at the entrance to the docks, not related to the Moto facilities discussed here. This was closed in about 2004.
Moto also operated a [[Caffe Ritazza|Caffè Ritazza]] and a shop in the Dover Travel Centre. Details of when this opened aren't clear, but it may have been inherited from Welcome Break, as the building itself was built in the 1980s. The Travel Centre closed in April 2014, but tenants were moved to the Passenger Handling Building.
 
In addition to the terminal facilities described so far, Dover Port used to sell fuel too. It wasn't ran by any of the operators discussed so far, but was branded [[Mobil]] and positioned at the entrance to the docks. This was closed in about 2004.


In 2007, Welcome Break returned to the market by taking on a similar site a few miles down the road in the [[Eurotunnel]]. They left this in 2013.
In 2007, Welcome Break returned to the market by taking on a similar site a few miles down the road in the [[Eurotunnel]]. They left this in 2013.

Revision as of 22:31, 27 July 2021

Location:

Eastern Docks
(off the A2/A20 Jubilee Way Roundabout)
Next to queuing lane 180

Postcode:

CT16 1JA

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Single site located within a larger complex..


While Dover Port has never actually been a motorway service area (it's only accessible to port traffic and not passer-bys), its facilities look and are managed like one. That's because its restaurants and shops have always been outsourced to motorway service area operators.

This page describes those operations only, not the whole of Dover Port itself.

Facilities

Catering: Burger King, Costa Coffee, Costa Express Shops: WHSmith Amenities: Full Hou$e, Travelex Bureau de Change

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Moto Retail Catering
Eastern Docks
Dover
Kent
CT16 1JA


Trivia and History

Dover Port Ferry Terminal (Granada) .jpg
The Terminal 1 building with Granada branding.

Camera icon
Camera icon

T1 opened by Welcome Break 1990
Sold to Granada 1995
Rebranded Moto 2001
T3 opened 2004
T1 closed 2021

Forte won a contract to provide the catering and retail services at Dover's Eastern Docks in 1990. Since then, the responsibility has passed between a number of motorway service area operators.

Internally, the only differences between the terminal facilities and their cousins on the motorways are that the shops stock more items related to driving in Europe, the dining areas display departure information and there are more currency exchanges. Externally, the buildings are managed by Port of Dover.

The current operator, Moto, does not display their own branding very prominently at all, preferring to use the Burger King logo instead. Until 2010, Moto didn't list Dover in any of their publicity, making their operation here a bit of a secret for only the most devoted Moto fans.

Terminal 1

The Terminal 1 building was built for use by Welcome Break. It opened on 9 July 1990, following a £2.5m investment. A poster dated 1992 stated that it was available to HGV drivers only, although other reports described it as a "passenger" terminal.

For Welcome Break, the development gave Forte access to an increasingly important trading route, while for Eastern Docks it formed one of a number of investments in passenger facilities which they were making at the time. The main facility was a Granary restaurant, with a shop and toilets, all arranged along a corridor. A Bureau de Change was also provided.

Additional toilets were provided at the back because the building was only open during the daytime. Outside, the roof extended to one side, where it acted as a coach interchange. The main entrance was a revolving door positioned in one corner. The roof was initially painted yellow, but soon painted green.

As with most Welcome Break locations, David Fisher was commissioned to paint some artwork. At Dover T1 the mural was dedicated to the destinations served from Dover.

The facility became property of Granada when they took over the company in 1995. Although Granada were forced to sell all the Welcome Break motorway service areas, this wasn't a motorway service area so instead it was able to become Granada branded. The restaurant became Fresh Express, with a Burger King, and a Gscape game arcade was added.

This building was then run by their successors, Moto. The Granada logo was taken down and replaced by a sign saying "Food Village"; this name was also promoted online using Dover Port's blue colour scheme. Internally it became known as "Passenger Service Building East".

The main restaurant became Moto's EDC and Caffè Ritazza combination, which were later replaced by Costa. The shop became WHSmith. A report dated 2006 stated that Moto were managing a bar and a Franklin's of Boston here, too.

As part of Dover's Brexit management plan, the Terminal 1 building was demolished in June 2021. At the time, fireman's switch on the building was still labelled "Granada", while the original brown tiled flooring was still used throughout the main corridor.

Terminal 2

A report from 2006 stated that Moto operated a shop and a Franklin's of Boston in Dover Terminal 2. Details of when this opened and closed aren't clear.

As of 2021, some internal Moto documents still list Dover Terminal 2 as one of their sites.

Terminal 3

A second catering building was built for use by Moto in 2004. This one was in Terminal 3, branded "Broadwalk Shopping", but known internally as "Passenger Service Building West".

It used a more modern, tall design with a glass front and seating spread over two levels, with the second level acting as a viewing platform. Similar facilities were offered inside: Burger King, Caffè Ritazza, Gscape game arcade, a Travelex Bureau de Change and a shopping area which used the Broadwalk name.

The Terminal 3 facilities were updated as with the rest of Moto's estate, with the coffee shop becoming Costa, the shop becoming WHSmith and the arcade becoming Full Hou$e. Until 2016, a Caffè Ritazza outlet was still advertised on the big screens next to each dock, even though it hadn't existed as part of the facilities for some time.

Similar Facilities

Moto also operated a Caffè Ritazza and a shop in the Dover Travel Centre. Details of when this opened aren't clear, but it may have been inherited from Welcome Break, as the building itself was built in the 1980s. The Travel Centre closed in April 2014, but tenants were moved to the Passenger Handling Building.

In addition to the terminal facilities described so far, Dover Port used to sell fuel too. It wasn't ran by any of the operators discussed so far, but was branded Mobil and positioned at the entrance to the docks. This was closed in about 2004.

In 2007, Welcome Break returned to the market by taking on a similar site a few miles down the road in the Eurotunnel. They left this in 2013.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Folkestone (M20, 14 miles)Services on the A20end of road
Medway (M2, 39 miles)
Harbledown (A2 southbound, 20 miles)
Gate (21 miles)
Services on the A2end of road
Medway (M2, 39 miles)
Thurrock (M25 north, 67 miles)
Moto servicesend of roads