Motorway Services Online

Retrieved from "https://motorwayservices.uk"

Foston services

Location:

A1 northbound between Grantham and Newark

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

NG32 2JS

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Single site located between junctions on one side of the road.


A small petrol station on the northbound side of the Foston Bypass.

Facilities

Outdoor Space: No grass space Forecourt: Esso, Londis, Costa Express, Rollover

Parking Prices

Short stay customer parking is available for all vehicles. No overnight parking is available.

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

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Foston Services
Great North Road
Foston
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG32 2JS


Trivia and History

Small restaurant building surrounded by overgrown grass, with a sign next to it saying: LJ's American style diner, milkshakes, free wi-fi, open 7 days. A sign next to it says cafe/retail unit to let.
The former Little Chef restaurant in 2022, sitting empty and awaiting demolition.

The site is really part of a pair of MFG-operated, Esso-branded forecourts. This one is on the northbound side, and forms part of an official service area, named 'Foston'. The second is on the southbound side, and known as 'Toll Bar', although the Toll Bar name has sometimes been applied to both. The southbound has never been officially classed as a service area, as it lacks a restaurant and has an unsatisfactory exit, but a redevelopment is proposed.

The northbound side appeared in the Highways Agency's truckstop guide, where it was listed as having eight chargeable spaces.

MFG hold planning permission to demolish the former restaurant building and build a new Starbucks Drive Thru on the land, as well as four electric vehicle charging bays. This was approved despite National Highways raising concerns about the road layout.

Foston Opening

This northbound side was built as a Heron filling station beside the existing Foston Motel, later mapped as Hyde-A-Way. This became a private dwelling, and a flat-roofed Little Chef restaurant was built next door in the 1970s.

That Little Chef closed in 2007, becoming Breakers Roadside Restaurant and, in 2012, LJ's Diner. LJ's closed in late 2013, leaving behind a cluttered shell of a building. The building was home to a catering company for a while but is now up for let again.

Demolition commenced on the former restaurant building in December 2023, with the new Starbucks set to open in summer 2024.

Forecourt History

The filling station went on to be owned by Malthurst. It was branded Texaco in the 2000s before rebranding to Jet in 2011. Following MRH's takeover of Malthurst, the site rebranded to Esso in 2015, retaining the Jet 'Shop' branding and colours. This remained until summer 2019, when the shop was rebranded to Londis.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Grantham North (3 miles)Services on the A1Newark (6 miles)