Willowtree: Difference between revisions
Rich (message wall | contribs) →Trivia and History: Added history for both sites |
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In 1994, Ord's of Amble rebranded the site to [[Shell]] with a [[Select]] branded store. | In 1994, Ord's of Amble rebranded the site to [[Shell]] with a [[Select]] branded store. | ||
In around 2008, the site was sold by Ord's of Amble to the | In around 2008, the site was sold by Ord's of Amble to the Co-operative Group who rebranded the site back to [[BP]] and added their own branded [[Co-op Food]] store. The Willowtree Café also closed around this time. | ||
In 2012, the site was then rebranded to [[Total]]. In 2016, Total branding was removed and the site became unbranded however it retained the Total colour scheme. In 2017, the site then a [[Co-op Petrol]] site. | In 2012, the site was then rebranded to [[Total]]. In 2016, Total branding was removed and the site became unbranded however it retained the Total colour scheme. In 2017, the site then a [[Co-op Petrol]] site. | ||
Revision as of 17:46, 14 March 2021
A1 at Alnwick, Northumberland
Signposted from the road.
NE66 2HA
map and directions
Series of sites arranged around a junction..
There are two services at the Alnwick exit on the A1 which until recently were operated by two separate companies.
Facilities
There is one facility on either side of the A1, and both are accessible via the underpass.
Willowtree Facilities
The Willowtree site is closer to the A1 northbound.
Forecourt: Esso, Morrisons Daily, Food to Go, Costa Express, AdBlue Containers, LPG (FloGas), Car Wash, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine
Cawledge Facilities
The larger Cawledge site is closer to the A1 southbound.
Catering: McDonald's Drive Thru : Temporarily closed Forecourt: BP, SPAR, Costa Express, West Cornwall Pasty Co., AdBlue4You, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine
Parking Prices
Both sites provided short-stay car parking. Limited HGV parking is provided at Cawledge.
This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
Contact Details
🏢 Address:
Co-Operative Retail Services Ltd
Willowtree Service Station
Willowtree Industrial Estate
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 2HA
Trivia and History
Willowtree site
The Willowtree garage is named after the Willowtree Cottages, which it was built next to on a piece of land primed for development when the Alnwick Bypass was built. The forecourt was originally owned by Aln Motor Co Ltd, and then Ord's Of Amble and was branded BP.
In the late 1970s there was a plan to build a hotel here.
In 1992, the a UPVC extension was added to the back of the sales building and the Willowtree Café opened here. In 2003, the UPVC building was demolished and a brick-built extension was added instead.
In 1994, Ord's of Amble rebranded the site to Shell with a Select branded store.
In around 2008, the site was sold by Ord's of Amble to the Co-operative Group who rebranded the site back to BP and added their own branded Co-op Food store. The Willowtree Café also closed around this time.
In 2012, the site was then rebranded to Total. In 2016, Total branding was removed and the site became unbranded however it retained the Total colour scheme. In 2017, the site then a Co-op Petrol site.
In 2020, Rontec purchased the Willowtree forecourt from the Co-operative Group who rebranded the site to Esso and added a Morrisons Daily store. This became Rontec's second site at the same junction.
Cawledge site
As part of the development of Cawledge Business Park in the 2000s, a large plot of land south of the junction was designated for retail and leisure use to accompany the new business park.
In 2002, the developer of the business park Northumberland Estates were granted planning permission for a garden centre, hotel and restaurant to be built on the land however none of this was built at the time. In 2007, Northumberland Estates were then granted further planning permission for a 54-bed hotel and restaurant. This was renewed in 2011 with construction commencing in 2011. The Hogs Head Inn eventually opened on 31 July 2012 with an official opening ceremony which saw the Duke of Northumberland pour the first pint in the bar. The hotel and restaurant was managed by Greenfields Moor Developments. The pub-restaurant gained a children's play area in 2014. The pub-restaurant was later sold to the Inn Collection Group.
Northumberland Estates first gained planning permission for the facilities that give the site signage, a filling station and fast food drive-thru restaurant, in 2010. The filling station opened in June 2012 and was branded BP with a Spar store and featured a Wild Bean Café however the site was closed by the end of 2012 following the tenant suffering a number of issues. In 2014, Rontec purchased the lease of the site from Northumberland Estates and on 15 February 2014 reopened the filling station. The site retained its BP branding however Rontec introduced their own-branded store Shop 'n Drive to the site. Rontec later added a Costa store to the site and rebranded the store back to Spar in 2017.
Also in 2014, McDonald's submitted plans to build a drive-thru restaurant to the north of the filling station adjacent to the A1. Permission was granted in November 2014 with the McDonald's Drive Thru opening on 23 September 2015. An official opening ceremony was held with the Mayor of Alnwick Bill Grisdale attending.
Many sources refer to this site as "Alnwick motorway service area", despite the A1 not being a motorway.
In January 2021, McDonald's submitted plans to install 2 InstaVolt electric vehicle charging points in their car park. A decision is set to be made in Spring 2021.
Alternatives
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| Stannington (21 miles) | Services on the A1 | Adderstone (13 miles) |