Wetherspoons To Open Motorway Services Pub

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon is to open a premises with a 24-hour licence at a motorway service station.

It has been granted permission for the round-the-clock operation at junction 2 of the M40 at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

It will have a licence to serve alcohol from 8am to 1am, seven days a week.

The pub chain was forced to make a statement defending its plans, amid fears that it would encourage drink driving.

A spokesman said much of Wetherspoon's sales came from food and that it also served non-alcoholic and hot drinks.

"We don't see any problem," he said.

"We believe the majority of people that use the pub to drink will be people that aren't driving - coach parties or people travelling with others.

"We won't be asking them whether they are driving. It's up to them."

He pointed out that motorway drivers were already able to purchase alcohol easily if they wanted.

Chairman Tim Martin said he hoped it would be the first of many such pubs on Britain's motorway network.

It comes amid a government consultation on lifting restrictions on alcohol sales at motorway service areas.

The pub, which has yet to be given a name, is expected to be open by Christmas.

The company said it had received no objections to the plans after meeting representatives from Thames Valley Police and South Buckinghamshire District Council.

It said the £2m development with service area operator Extra would create 50 jobs.

Mr Martin said: "We are looking forward to opening our first licensed bar and restaurant on the motorway network.

"The company has always been innovative and this is an exciting new development for us. Hopefully it will be the first of many Wetherspoons on the motorway."

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Most drivers are sensible, but you have to question a policy that encourages drivers to pull off to take a break and then offers them up a pint."

However, he pointed out that Home Office figures last year showed at least seven other service areas where alcohol was served. Some of these were apparently at hotels.

The Home Office has been consulting on a law currently banning the sale of alcohol at some motorway service areas.

A spokeswoman said: "The Government's Alcohol Strategy consultation, which includes looking at the sale of alcohol in motorway service areas, closed on 6 February. We will listen to all views and set out our response in due course."