Yahoo News The 'worst service station in the country' that helped launch Peter Kay's career
Service stations are typically seen as mundane pit stops during long motorway journeys, but there are some exceptions, especially in the north west.
Take for instance, the now-defunct UFO structure that was once part of Forton Service on the M6. This abandoned landmark has been a striking sight for motorists for decades.
Then there's Tebay Services in Cumbria, also on the M6, which has been named the best motorway stop off in the UK, complete with a duck pond, farm shop, and outdoor terrace. Another service station, now demolished, had a colourful past and one significant claim to fame
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The original Bolton West services, built in 1971, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II later that year amidst a crowd of thousands. This was the same day she inaugurated the Pennine section of the M62.
Located between junctions six and eight of the M61 (curiously, there is no junction seven on the M61), it was initially known as Anderton services. As per the intriguing website, Motorways Services Online, the services housed a shop, a fast food outlet, two additional retail units and a cafeteria at the rear.
There was also a small arcade and a designated area with telephones. However, learning from previous service stations, they constructed a massive car park with space for around 200 HGVs - more than any other service area in the country at that time.
Formerly titled as Top Rank and then Pavillion, it took the name Rivington services in 1992, prior to adopting its current name of Bolton West services in 1997. This rebranding was associated with the erection of a 32-room lodge motel on the site, expected to catch travellers commuting to Blackpool, the Lake District, Manchester and Manchester Airport.
Though unknown at that time, this service station later played a vital role in kickstarting the career in comedy for Peter Kay, who is today one of UK's renowned comedians. The pilot episode for his mockumentary show, 'That Peter Kay Thing' was shot at the Bolton West services, mostly because broader services operators did not want to participate.
'The Services', which initially premiered in 1998 as an episode of Comedy Lab; showcasing new comedic talent, followed Pearl Harbour - the station manager, portrayed by Kay himself and his employees, through their daily life at the service station. Kay impersonated various characters throughout the show including local DJ Paul Le Roy from Chorley FM, memorable for his tagline "coming in your ears".
We also saw Paddy McGuinness alongside Kay for the first time on TV, playing the character of pump assistant, Terry. Bolton West services, despite playing a role in launching Peter Kay's career, had fallen on hard times.
It was dubbed the worst service station in the country by motorwayservices.info due to its poor conditions. However, a turnaround was on the horizon.
In 2009, Blackburn-based Euro Garages purchased the site, demolished the old service station, and constructed a new, modern one in its place. According to Motorway Services Online, the revamped stop-off was initially going to be named 'Chorley services'.
However, it was later decided to revert back to one of its former names, 'Rivington' services. In recent years, the new Rivington services has received much more positive reviews and ratings than its predecessor.
In fact, in 2017, it was even voted the second best service station in the country.
