WOW! M6 Toll Motorway Services (Motorway Services)

Member Name: Muzza

Product:	Motorway Services
Date:	04/08/04 (3688 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ambience and relaxation, Clean and tidy, Facilities

Disadvantages: Prices, Pay the toll to get to them

There is a lot to be said about motorway service areas (some good, most bad) but I feel some special credit should be given to the Road Chef Norton Canes on the new M6 Toll road.

Road Chef Norton Canes is situated between junctions six and seven of the M6 Toll road prior to the toll stations on each carriageway.

It is a very modern building with clean lines and a large glass front. The interior is light and airy and is fully air-conditioned. The outside boasts a large patio area that is themed with water fountains and water jets – fun for the kids after a long journey.



Eating

The ‘OnRoute’ restaurant is the main eatery in the services. With an open plan dining area and outside patio area this does give a more pleasant edge to the usual dire service area restaurant. Service is buffet/self service style although according to the Road Chef website they also provide table service after 6pm. Food is cooked from fresh in the Road Chef ‘food theatre’ where customers can order and watch food being cooked for them. Choice is excellent with enough of a selection for even the healthy eaters with fresh fruit, yoghurts and vegetarian meals available. Prices are as high as other service areas and inevitable you also pay for the surroundings. Do not expect much change out of a tenner for a decent meal and drink. Service that I have experienced in the restaurant has always been good but this could be down to the fact that this is a relatively new service area.

Costa Coffee also have an outlet onsite with the opportunity for sit-in or take-away. I am not a big fan of coffee in general but do love the Costa hot chocolate - ‘Grande’ style with all the trimmings on top (cream, marshmallows, chocolate etc). They also provide a selection o
f sandwiches, paninis (try the chicken, pesto and sun dried tomato), toasties as well as a selection of cakes for those hungry customers. Prices here are about the same as high street outlets so quite reasonable for motorway services. Typically the hot chocolate costs around £2.50 and sandwiches/paninis from £3.99 depending on filling. Service is quick and easy and surprisingly they always seem to have plenty of staff on-hand to help. The separate seating area is within the open plan main atrium and has sofa style couches and leather tub chairs for comfort. The Costa at Norton Canes is always crowded so if that is anything to go by I would certainly recommend you give it a go.

And what would a motorway services be without a burger bar. This takes the form of a Wimpy restaurant. I must admit I have not yet had the pleasure of a Wimpy burger so would not like to comment, but I am sure this would be a favourite for the kids.


Shopping

Surprisingly the only shopping at Norton Canes services is at the Road Chef ‘ReStore’ shop. No mobile phone or tacky outlets as is common at other service areas. The ‘ReStore’ shop has a wide variety of products. The usual suspects of sandwiches, sausage rolls, drinks, crisps and chocolate and very much present but also some other products not always seen everywhere like CD’s, clothing (why would anyone buy clothing from a service area), seasonal products, phone accessories, books, games etc. Road Chef have also just launched a new range of sandwiches by chef Brian Turner which although pricey do bring the service area sandwich into the 21st century. Prices are not cheap but I suppose you are paying for the convenience as well as the product. In saying that I find that in general Road Chef are still much cheaper than
Moto services. Typical a Brian Turner sandwich will cost from £2.50 and drinks from £1.10. I have found the customer service in this shop varies depending on when you shop. Think its just more about the staff’s personal attitude rather than anything else.


Accommodation/Meeting Rooms

There is a 40-bedroom Travel Inn hotel on site offering rooms that can sleep up to a family of four comfortably. Rooms have a double bed and also one or two pullout beds suitable for kids. They also have colour TV, bathroom with shower and hospitality tray. For only £46.95 per room per night Travel Inn offer excellent budget accommodation that is always clean and tidy especially at the newer sites like this one.

Integrated into the Travel Inn is a Touchbase business and meetings centre. This new concept offers meeting rooms (from £100 per half day) and hot desks (£5.00/hr). The variety of rooms which can hold between 1 and 60 people offer phone points, ISDN lines, unlimited tea and Costa coffee, business facilities as well as a dedicated meeting host for all your needs.


Other Features

Toilets I must say are impressive and it is very obvious a lot of time has been put into the design. Very bright and airy with a lot of mirrors to make them seem much bigger. Toilets are sensor flushing and cubicles have anti graffiti walls so no more ‘who fancies who’ or dodgy phone numbers to read!!!! Sinks have sensors so no passing on germs here; it’s just a shame you have to press a button to dry your hands really. The toilets are always sparkling clean (toilet attendant always on duty) and are also pleasant smelling even for the gents!! There is also a feedback thing on the wall where you can grade the standard of the toilets when you leave. Super!!

B
4; Openzone is provided for those who wish to connect their laptop computer to the Internet via a wireless connection. So great venue for a business lunch or meeting.

A picnic area is provided for those people wanting to ‘bring their own’. This area is keep clean and tidy by regular patrols from the hygiene workers. A pleasant alternative to the service area food.


Petrol Station

Fuel is provided by BP in their ‘BP Connect Petrol Station’ one of the largest in the UK with 24 pumps. Petrol prices are no higher than the normal MSA price for fuel. Inside the forecourt is a shop with wide selection including the Wild Bean Café, which offers a quick stop for food and drink. Not as fresh as in the main service area building but good for a quick stop over.



In general all motorway service stations share the same high prices and vary in terms of customer service but in terms of ambience, design and relaxation the Norton Canes is at the top of the list in my book. A pleasure to pay my £2.00 toll charge for this experience.

Summary: