Which? attacks poor value of motorway services catering

Which? Car has attacked the poor value on offer at the UK’s motorway services, and suggested travellers trying to save money this summer buy food from supermarkets instead.

The magazine, part of consumer group Which?, visited 51 sites around the UK from Folkestone to Stirling to check on the British service station and its catering options as its celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Which? Car’s researchers found bottles of water on sale at four times the price they’d cost in a local supermarket and cappuccino that cost £2.99.

The researchers also found significant mark-ups at motorway petrol stations, where a basket of goods from Sainsbury’s priced £5.48 went for £10.31 at Moto Reading on the M4 (the most expensive) and £7.49 at Cairn Lodge at Happendon on the M74 (the cheapest).

However, Which? Car, did find the standard of the services’ toilets to be generally impressively clean and well-presented.

Richard Headland, editor of Which? Car, said: “If you’re trying to save this summer, buy food and drinks from a supermarket in advance.”

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By Chris Druce

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