Exterior of the amenity building at Knutsford Southbound, appearing slightly depressing & underwhelming. Knutsford still obtains its original Top Rank building from 1963 and when it opened, it was a small place, consisting of a buffet restaurant with two entrances/sets of stairs to two car parks either side of the M6. Extensions have been created to house new facilities, which are needed at Knutsford due to the growing customer demand of the site as a result of its location (main route between Manchester and Birmingham). Despite gradual improvements, Moto’s lack of recent investment in Knutsford is clear. The site is tired, cramped and not as luxurious as when it first opened. It’s badly declined, and its exterior is quite untidy and unwelcoming. This pic evidences the various extensions the amenity building has undergone, such as the M&S on the footbridge. We also see what appears to be a goods entrance next to the main customer entrance, which is very rare to see at the front of a motorway services as typically, these are situated at the back. There is limited space around Knutsford, being the reason HGVs can’t park here. Aside from the shades of blue and “welcome to Moto Knutsford South” sign, there seems to be a significant lack of interest in the site, possibly linking to how Moto were planning on demolishing it due to a change of road layout near the site. Knutsford South must be one of the ugliest entrances to a motorway services I have seen. Between 1963-1992, Knutsford was operated by Top Rank, who had a love for elaborate architecture and unique building designs. Top Rank then sold to Pavilion in 1992, who kept hold of the site for 5 years until 1997, when Granada bought it and became Moto in 2001. Pavilion’s last site was Knutsford, as it was their most profitable site. Most Pavilion sites were sold to Granada in 1995. Knutsford’s situation of being an old, worn building is not rare for the M6. Most M6 motorway services seem to be old buildings from when the motorway opened. This is surprising as you’d think, with the demand they receive, these older buildings would be demolished for more modern provisions. Knutsford South was moderately busy during my visit, largely due to the time of day being lunchtime - an attractive time for people to stop and get a meal. Knutsford South is accurately signposted from the M6 Southbound, so customers can’t miss it. The signpost is only 1/3 miles away from this building however, so you have to be ready to leave the M6 (typically it’s 1/2 miles for an online site).

Photo taken on 10/02/2024 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Knutsford, Moto, M6 (England)