Motorway Services Online

Retrieved from "https://motorwayservices.uk"

Symonds Yat: Difference between revisions

J (message wall | contribs)
Fire at Budgens/Greggs
Rich (message wall | contribs)
m Updates following today's visit
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Services
{{Services
|type = primary
|type = primary
|image = Symonds Yat East 2020.jpg
|operator = Shell
|road = [[A40]] between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth
|image = Shell Symonds Yat 2024.jpg
|postcode = HR9 6DP (eastbound), HR9 6DW (westbound)
|road = [[A40]] {{dir|E}} between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth
|maplink = https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Shell/@51.8514296,-2.6647069,19.5z/
|postcode = HR9 6DP
|signposted = Yes  
|signposted = Yes  
|briefroad = A40 between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth
|briefroad = A40 eastbound between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth
|coords = 51.851566, -2.664957
|coords = 51.851719, -2.6644501
|stype = Two sites located between junctions, with no public connection between them.
|stype = Two sites located between junctions, with no public connection between them
|markerpost = 120 }}
|markerpost = 0120 }}


Two sites located on the A40 with a vast history of operators between the two of them.
The larger of the two service areas at Symonds Yat, the main side is a former truckstop with an unusual layout.


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
===Eastbound===
{{facilities| Amenities | Games Arcade, Showers |primary }}
{{facilities| Restaurants | {{Subway|E|s}}, {{Costa Express}}, [[Rollover]], {{West Cornwall Pasty Company|E|s}} |covid = 27 January 2021 |primary }}
{{facilities| Outdoor Space | Grass verge only (care needed) |primary }}
{{facilities| Shops | [[Londis]] |primary }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Shell|E|s}}, {{Select|E|s}}, {{deli by Shell|E|s}}, {{Costa Express|E|s}} |primary }}
{{facilities| Amenities | Free Cash Machine, Showers |primary }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Shell|E|s}}, AdBlue4You |primary }}


===Westbound===
==Parking Prices==
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Applegreen}}, [[Budgens]], {{Costa Express}}, F'real Milkshakes, AdBlue Containers, Car Wash |primary }}
First 2 hours free for all vehicles.


==Parking Prices==
{{Parking Disclaimer}}
Overnight parking is currently available on the eastbound side. First 2 hours free for vehicles, after which all vehicles must pay £10 for up to 24 hours.


==Contact Details==
==Contact Details==
Line 33: Line 30:
Herefordshire{{newline}}
Herefordshire{{newline}}
HR9 6DP
HR9 6DP
|gridref = SO542171
|3words = tightest.supported.slogged
|websites =  
|website = https://find.shell.com/gb/fuel/12585656 Official Shell website
* [https://www.motorfuelgroup.com/ Eastbound Forecourt operated by MFG]
|foursquare = 59d61e47516113184c4a3a27
* [https://www.applegreenstores.com/uk Westbound Forecourt operated by Applegreen]
}}
}}


==Trivia and History==
==Trivia and History==
Both forecourts were built in 1975.
[[File:Gaming Symonds Yat 2022.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Evidence of First's styling is still visible inside.|alt=A sign saying Amusements, in a green font with a red stripe, above a game arcade.]]
The site opened in the 1970s as a small building and parking area on a very large plot of land.
 
It was redeveloped in 1975 and became a truckstop, although the regulations at the time didn't define what a 'truckstop' was, which is why it was never formally signposted as one. It was ran by Truckers, who were themselves acquired by Norfolk House. A new facilities building was built in 1999.
 
A few years later, a formal car park was created. The original car park is the tiny area next the forecourt, which has been closed off. The increased car parking was arguably the start of this becoming more of a general service area than a dedicated truckstop, but successive owners continued to highlight the ample parking for HGVs.


===Eastbound===
One unusual feature is the display of a large [[MID]] (the fuel price sign), positioned well before the service area, on the main A40.
[[File:Former First Signage Symonds Yat 2018.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Evidence of First branding in the services.|alt=Symonds Yat corridor.]]
The eastbound side is a truckstop which was run by Truckers, who were themselves acquired by Norfolk House. The truckstop was purchased by [[First]] in 2006. First claimed they had made a success of it and wanted to take over several more.


In 2011, First were taken over by [[Roadchef]], who commented on it being their first A-road site by saying they would have a play with it and keep it if it made money. They changed the forecourt from [[BP]] to [[Murco]], retaining the First shop branding but adding a [[Costa]] unit.
There was a [[Little Chef]] built near here in around 1970, which had closed by 1980.


Roadchef sold the services to High Noon Stores, who changed the Costa unit to an own-branded "Route 40 Café" and opened a [[Spar]] store.
===Going Mainstream===
The service area was purchased by motorway operator [[First]] in 2006. First provided their green and white signage all around, including on a large "Welcome to First Motorway Services" sign visible from the A40. Other posters pointed out that it was the "last fuel [before the] M5". First claimed they had made a success of it and wanted to take over several more.


[[MFG]] purchased it in March 2017 after High Noon Stores went into administration and have re-branded the site. A [[Londis]] store replaced the former [[Spar]] store and the fuel supply changed from from Murco to [[Shell]]. The independent café remained for a while until early 2019 where MFG replaced the Route 40 Cafe with a Subway store.
First were taken over by [[Roadchef]] in 2011, who said this was their first A-road site and that they would work with it and see what could be done. Under Roadchef, the forecourt changed from [[BP]] to [[Murco]], while First's shop branding was retained, but with a [[Costa]] unit added.


As of summer 2019, evidence of [[First]]'s ownership is still visible within the eastbound amenity building as the games arcade signage is still being displayed in First's distinctive green and red colours.
Roadchef sold the site to High Noon Stores, who changed the Costa unit to their own creation, 'Route 40 Café'. They also opened a [[SPAR]] store.


There was a Little Chef built near here in around 1970, which had closed by 1980.
===Forecourt Operators===
After High Noon Stores fell into administration, [[MFG]] purchased the site in March 2017. A [[Londis]] store replaced the former [[SPAR]] store and the fuel supply changed again from Murco to [[Shell]]. The independent café remained trading until late 2018 when MFG closed the café and replaced it with a [[Subway]] store, which opened early 2019.


===Westbound===
Evidence of [[First]]'s ownership is still visible inside the amenity building, with signage still displayed in First's distinctive green and red colours.
The westbound side was previously operated by Quickbreak Services, branded [[Total]] then [[Gulf]], with a [[Spar]] store and a café. The site was taken-over by Applegreen in February 2020. Applegreen, who call the site '''Daff-Y-Nant services''', rebranded the shop to Budgens and replaced the cafe with a Greggs.  


On Christmas Day 2020, a fire caused severe damage to Budgens and Greggs. The shop has temporarily reopened in a portacabin while repair works are underway.  
MFG sold the forecourt to placate the Competition and Markets Authority in March 2023. It was sold to Shell, who closed the Subway store and rebranded the shop to their [[Select]] brand. They later added a [[deli by Shell]] hot food offering too. MFG had intended to build an electric vehicle charging hub here, but these plans were withdrawn following the sale of the site.


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==
{{Succession start}}
{{Succession start}}
{{Succession|1|A40| [[Ross Spur]] (8 miles) |
{{Succession|1|A40| [[Daff-Y-Nant]] (westbound, ¼ mile){{newline}}[[Ross Spur]] (8 miles) |
[[Monmouth]] (9 miles) }}
[[Monmouth]] (9 miles) }}
</table>
</table>


[[Category:First]][[Category:Truckstops]][[Category:A-roads (no motorway)]][[Category:A40]][[Category:A449]]
{{bottomnav|noreview=true}}
[[Category:First]][[Category:A-roads (no motorway)]][[Category:A40]][[Category:A449]]

Latest revision as of 09:29, 29 May 2024

Location:

A40 eastbound between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

HR9 6DP

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Two sites located between junctions, with no public connection between them.


The larger of the two service areas at Symonds Yat, the main side is a former truckstop with an unusual layout.

Facilities

Amenities: Games Arcade, Showers Outdoor Space: Grass verge only (care needed) Forecourt: Shell, Select, Deli by Shell, Costa Express

Parking Prices

First 2 hours free for all vehicles.

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

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Symonds Yat Services
Whitchurch
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 6DP


Trivia and History

A sign saying Amusements, in a green font with a red stripe, above a game arcade.
Evidence of First's styling is still visible inside.

The site opened in the 1970s as a small building and parking area on a very large plot of land.

It was redeveloped in 1975 and became a truckstop, although the regulations at the time didn't define what a 'truckstop' was, which is why it was never formally signposted as one. It was ran by Truckers, who were themselves acquired by Norfolk House. A new facilities building was built in 1999.

A few years later, a formal car park was created. The original car park is the tiny area next the forecourt, which has been closed off. The increased car parking was arguably the start of this becoming more of a general service area than a dedicated truckstop, but successive owners continued to highlight the ample parking for HGVs.

One unusual feature is the display of a large MID (the fuel price sign), positioned well before the service area, on the main A40.

There was a Little Chef built near here in around 1970, which had closed by 1980.

Going Mainstream

The service area was purchased by motorway operator First in 2006. First provided their green and white signage all around, including on a large "Welcome to First Motorway Services" sign visible from the A40. Other posters pointed out that it was the "last fuel [before the] M5". First claimed they had made a success of it and wanted to take over several more.

First were taken over by Roadchef in 2011, who said this was their first A-road site and that they would work with it and see what could be done. Under Roadchef, the forecourt changed from BP to Murco, while First's shop branding was retained, but with a Costa unit added.

Roadchef sold the site to High Noon Stores, who changed the Costa unit to their own creation, 'Route 40 Café'. They also opened a SPAR store.

Forecourt Operators

After High Noon Stores fell into administration, MFG purchased the site in March 2017. A Londis store replaced the former SPAR store and the fuel supply changed again from Murco to Shell. The independent café remained trading until late 2018 when MFG closed the café and replaced it with a Subway store, which opened early 2019.

Evidence of First's ownership is still visible inside the amenity building, with signage still displayed in First's distinctive green and red colours.

MFG sold the forecourt to placate the Competition and Markets Authority in March 2023. It was sold to Shell, who closed the Subway store and rebranded the shop to their Select brand. They later added a deli by Shell hot food offering too. MFG had intended to build an electric vehicle charging hub here, but these plans were withdrawn following the sale of the site.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Daff-Y-Nant (westbound, ¼ mile)
Ross Spur (8 miles)
Services on the A40Monmouth (9 miles)