Abandoned Motorway Service Station - M1 Leicester

[@martinjones8351]

I’m responsible for those lights being on 😂 the site is still live as the boilers in the abandoned building provide the heating for the hotel, I’ve got loads of pictures of the inside of this if you are interested

[@AutoShenanigans]

Interesting... do you still have access to it? ;)

[@johnduggan4788]

That be great to see, how strange leaving the heating on, suppose the place would just rot with damp, without heating on god I hope the place is not full of rats.

[@pussinboots1145]

@@johnduggan4788 The heating is for the hotel next door.

[@MrHollistic1]

it would be great if you could put some footage up of the interior?

[@rayjennings3637]

@@johnduggan4788 Did you read what he said, about the, "... boilers in the abandoned building provide the heating for the hotel ..."? In the video, we are told and see from the drone footage that the hotel is still in use!

[@DaveLee37]

I thought I'd submitted a Super Thanks before, but I don't see it. Auto Shenanigans is a part of my weekly wind-down... thanks for your amazing videos, Jon! ♥️

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks mate and appreciate you watching!

[@timmatthews9621]

Thanks!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks mate, very kind of you!

[@MLB9000]

I’m from Leicester (and was actually born in Leicester Forest East) and I only ever visited that service station once. It was horrible. Have never felt so unwelcome or that I was in the wrong place. It just had a really bad vibe for some reason.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

It was in a weird place, off the M1 and on the A50 at a bad junction. I went there once for petrol but that was it.

[@tautology_zero]

I've used it a couple of times in the past for petrol or cigarettes, mainly because it was the closest to John Lees wood where we used to LARP. It was just too inconvenient to use for anything off the motorway. I didn't know it had closed down and I suspect most people don't care.

[@loisbolton1800]

I blame bad ley lines.

[@PeterSlack83]

Its blooming awful and busy, i rather take an extra 10min and drive on the A46 to Leicester North services. Its quieter and has a free water fountain to fill your water bottle. Rather than an expensive (although claimed) glacier melt water :D

[@BibtheBoulder]

I lived within walking distance of them, and can confirm the bad vibe. I always thought it was just me that felt it!

[@sydnorth5868]

Markfield Services biggest problem was that it was not signposted on the motorway itself. I seem to recall that this was because the land that it was on was not owned by the Department of Transport. Hence, they did not consider it to be a motorway services and did not signpost it on the motorway. Unless you were a local or happened to be using that junction anyway, you wouldn't know it was there.

[@madhatter61]

That's right, but as drivers learned the network they learned of its existence, but yes it was like pop 2000, it had its loyal customers, mostly professional drivers

[@grantgrove6800]

Plus the fact that you had to actually leave the motorway at J22, then re-join. Unlike 'normal' services where you slip off/on. I had my last ever Little Chef 'meal' here, That was pretty miserable too. There was also a Burger King but I don't remember if I actually used that one. I live local , so have 'filled-up a couple of times, years ago.

[@mattsingh_]

I’m local and I didn’t know it was there! From Shepshed and this is literally the first time I’ve ever heard of this place

[@TestGearJunkie.]

The amateur radio repeaters GB3CF (2m) and GB3LE (70cm) were around this area, the antenna mast was visible from the motorway as you passed, looking for it a few weeks ago though I couldn't see them. I no longer live in the area so don't know if the repeaters are still on the site or not, must see if I can find out. I remember CF in particular had a stonking signal, when I first got my amateur licence in 1983 I could access it on a hand portable radio from the centre of Birmingham..! They did turn the power down somewhat later on, though and you can't do it now, more's the pity.

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

They should make it retro, with Granada branding and original sit down service. Add a garden centre and you would have a nice destination to go to.

[@sandwichbar8226]

R&S Records!

[@nemo6686]

Yay - so the motorway generates traffic! That isn't really what they're meant to do.

[@douglasschaden3475]

With the Travelodge you could make a weekend of it.

[@malcolmyoung7866]

As it was a service area before it shouldn’t be an issue.. the industrial estates to the west of there produce way more in ‘traffic’ . The kind of traffic no ones really wants (HGV’s at all times of the day/night) and those quarries don’t dig themselves or move that stuff by themselves…

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

@@sandwichbar8226 The first person to ever notice, well done and rave on, 'in order to dance'!

[@8skellerns]

My mum worked at the Petrol station their until it closed. Was a run down mess, and staff always felt in danger in their as the station was so hidden from view. Eurogarages shut that site down as they were more interested in their new Asda Garage at Ashby De La Zouch, that has recently completed phase one of its build and now they are going to build a lorry park on the field next to McDonalds and the Hotel.

[@tonydoherty5614]

there was another reason,, after the Travelers constant mess and the fights ,, no one would insure the site.

[@Dan23_7]

A lovely bit of knowledge for a Wednesday. No matter where you go in this country, no matter how disused somewhere is. Travel Lodge prevails 💪🏼😂 Thanks JPH ☕️ 👍🏼

[@barryrathbone]

Stayed at Markfield Travelodge and it’s a depressing place with everything shut. Staff were lovely but they can’t make it more exciting!

[@archechme]

I absolutely love how you use Gran Turismo menu music in your videos. Great touch.

[@DEAD-DROP]

Hope you check out more abandoned locations, love this aspect of the channel!

[@IndigoJo]

I think the reason the Markfield site closed down was because the A50 was rerouted via Castle Donington, taking all the traffic from the East Midlands to places like Stoke on Trent with it. Previously the A50 ran past the site up through Burton to Uttoxeter, but wasn't convenient for people trying to get to and from Nottingham, only Leicester and Northampton. Euro Garages has at least two other sites in the immediate area, at the roundabout up the now A511 towards Coalville. As EG sites go it was pretty rundown as others have mentioned, but it was always possible to park your truck there for a while.

[@automotivetales]

Drive past this quite a lot, always wondered what happened to it! It’s crazy that big companies can just sit on such real estate and let it rot away 🤷‍♂️

[@chillybrit2334]

Not really crazy. It's of no use in its current form or location hence it going out of business. Smallish buildings on a large well connected (transport wise) site make it an easy redevelopment site. Bit of landscaping to make it look attractive, quickly throw up a 1000 "prestige" home development, each going for £500,000 to buy to let investment businesses. Nothing crazy at all when you do the maths. Local and County Councils look kindly on such things as they attract a younger occupancy who while paying the full council tax need no council services other than rubbish taken away. Letting it rot and fall apart a good while before submitting the planning application for this is just standard practice - the more graffiti, used needles etc. it accumulates the more likely the planning application is going to get fast tracked.

[@6thdayblue59]

Brilliant, as always !!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks mate, appreciate that a lot.

[@fuller9x]

Loving these alternate deep dive Wednesday videos

[@Mike-H_UK]

I assume that you also work for an American company?

[@MrTrevithick]

This is rapidly becoming my favourite channel, obviously why wouldn’t it? Cheers.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thats what I like to hear! :D

[@DarkTerminus]

"Maybe one day it'll become an Insurance claim following an Arson attack or maybe redeveloped into luxury flats" That last bit got me lol

[@TheUKMediaWatch]

I love these videos , I’m addicted 👍🏼

[@scotjerram6715]

My Dad worked there for about 10 years as on-site maintenance. He got some great perks when it was part of Granada.

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Arson? - I'd never have considered that as a tool in the property developers basket 😂

[@bentilbury2002]

Perish the thought 🤣

[@douglasschaden3475]

You want luxury flats or not?

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nothing speeds up a planning application like a bit of fire... :D

[@ianbonser2636]

Worked for the nightclub next to St Margarets last year 🤔🤫

[@sadie376]

@@ianbonser2636 It's worked many times, in many places.

[@iwb316]

0:49 Oh the memories, I remember those times. The ones I remember were run by Forte, later to become Trusthouse Forte.

[@ben-ih1ox]

Always amazes me how quickly nature reclaims land. The petrol station looks like its been closed a lot longer than 2020

[@liamriley521]

Also probably the 1st Lockdown didn't help hence it closing in 2020. I remember using that petrol station back in 2018 In January 2022 I stayed at the travelodge there and wasn't that suprised the petrol station had closed. Just a shame it all looks a mess with fly tipping etc there now.

[@omardude39]

Buildings and land have to be maintained to be kept, otherwise nature and time will reclaim it!

[@nervo6321]

Good job I watched this video I didn’t know it had shut…spent many a miserable night on here in my truck…cheers man.

[@craigwilson1972]

I did stop at the Travel Lodge a few months back, i'd not been to the Service station for a few years so i couldn't believe how run down the rest of the site was. thanks for the video on this. :)

[@Luluxxxx]

Hadn’t realised it had closed but am not surprised as Leicester Forest East - only a few minutes south - is a really good service station with a lot of food choices. Who doesn’t love having a Harry Ramsden’s while watching the cars zooming beneath you ! 😄

[@cefnonn]

I stayed in Markfield once. There was a YHA there called Copt Oak. Does anyone on here remember it? Shame it closed. Great video! You're channel is unique!

[@acwdrivingservices9877]

Enjoying your videos thanks. I spend many hours using our motorway network as a Chauffeur covering 50k miles a year, the majority on motorways. So getting some enlightening info on our motorways is great to use to while away the time I'm stuck in traffic( M62, M60, M1, M6 et all). Speaking of service stations, maybe you should visit Birch services, E/B on the M62, and admire the way the have chopped down some beautiful trees there, that have been growing quietly and minding their own business for the last 50 years absorbing lots and lot of that nasty CO2, to make way for some (as yet still not finished after 12 months) EV charging stations, and see if you can spot the irony.......

[@donalddodson7365]

Perhaps as automobiles have gotten more comfortable, quiet and capable of longer distances between petrol stops, there just aren't enough people stopping any more. I recall seeing the same thing in the southwestern USA in 2015-2019. Have not made any long distance trips since 2020, sadly. Thanks, Jon.

[@malcolmyoung7866]

You need to get out there again and see stuff… if you can…👍🏻

[@gazzaman28]

Current EVs are changing this trend, there's a definite demand for reliable charging on the motorway. Plus we all still need to pee every couple of hours!

[@SuperAMJS]

Big fan of the urbex element Jon...

[@mattwuk]

Motorways went from perfect open clear fast roadways to, well, we know the joy today.

[@BibtheBoulder]

I lived in Markfield for many years. These services were without any doubt, the most miserable depressing place you could possibly imagine. Bit like Leicester....

[@bluevan12]

Bit like most of the Midlands then.

[@stevieandthebarbies]

Leicester is like Alcatraz - you can’t escape! I arrived in 1985, meant to be here for 2-3 years, 5 tops! Coming up to 40 years - you get less for murder (as they say)

[@doubleL_S]

@@stevieandthebarbies but LeicesterSHIRE is beautiful

[@leow3696]

I went to an open day at Leicester Uni (ended up going to Aberystwyth instead). Having been to Leicester before, but a different part, it struck me that one side of it looks identical to the other.

[@jetblasters]

I clicked on the button specifically designed to show that I appreciated this clip. I had already subscribed so I left that button well alone.

[@itznoah8796]

Glad you could visit and show a recent view of the services! Moto operated the Costa store themselves and closed it themselves after “disappointing trade”. Motorway Services Online has some images of what it looked like before it was bordered up. It was fenced off but it seems they’ve removed it. The future seems to be EG typically demolishing it and building a Starbucks drive thru.

[@iantrembirth6918]

Moto probably just turned their attentions to their Donington Park Services at J24A (not sure when that opened). Despite living nearby (J24) and travelling past this junction many times, I don't remember ever seeing a sign on the Motorway itself to say there were services at this junction so no wonder it didn't get many visitors.

[@DavidWood2]

I don't think it was ever advertised from the M1. If that is the case, it was sort of a guerilla operation - not officially a motorway, but just off the motorway in a way that you hope attracts passing traffic.

[@frankmitchell3594]

I used to work in the Leicester area and don't remember Markfield as a 'motorway service station', it was just a petrol station and cafe on the A50 near the M1 junction.

[@marcwaller3657]

Very pleased to see this pop up today after mentioning it last year and receiving a "careful what you wish for reply"! I used to stay at the Travelodge regularly as it's close to Donington park circuit and it's very cheap. It was fine as long as you got food elsewhere before returning. The main services building wasn't boarded up for most of that time and as you say everything was still in place as if it had just closed for the day and would reopen soon! I think the last time I stayed was 2019 when it was starting to deteriorate but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as it is now. There used to be a similar abandoned Euro garages services (without the hotel) on the A303 in Hampshire but about 5 years ago, it was demolished, rebuilt with new buildings and reopened. Also I just remembered, Markfield services used to be home to a Starling that used to be a perfect mimic of emergency vehicle sirens!! Very strange to hear but probably long since deceased. I don't think Starlings live long!

[@dougle03]

2-3 years - RIP

[@patryqoo]

A303 Wayhill services, near Andover

[@cvslfc1234]

I stayed at the Travelodge in August 2020 and had a wander around the outside of this service station too. It was fascinating seeing the signs and chairs in the Burger King through the barrier. The Travelodge is the only one I've stayed in that still uses keys for the doors instead of key cards.

[@jimmyjammer]

The best site on KZbin to date 👍🏻

[@PurityVendetta]

I have to say thanks for yet another beautifully crafted gem of a video. You never fail to make me smile, something that's for definite a good thing given the current climate!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Glad to hear!

[@roysmith9733]

This was my 'goto' services most days back in the day, when I wanted a quieter place to stop for refreshments and a brief sleep on the way home. Much more pleasant than Leicester Forest East mainly because most travellers didn't know it was there. In fact, I didn't know it had gone until your video - but that's because I stopped travelling the route many years ago.

[@jake8793]

I was waiting for a video on this, went there recently with a mate and couldnt believe you missed it in your m1 video! Lol 😂

[@Unconwheels]

My man just keeps pumping out the shenanigans

[@finlay9911]

As a markfield resident, its so strange seeing this place how it is now as i completely forgot about it. I remember my mum taking me and my sister there after school sometimes. But i cant really remember anything about the place apart from the maze like exit and the carwash.

[@AdeReeves]

Arrr yes ...I remember the days when a stop off at a motorway services was a pure delight .... I think 😂

[@chocoholic832]

😂 not anymore

[@renrutmat]

Really? I'm 65 and can't remember any joy at motorway services even as a very happy child.

[@trevorsidley7697]

Fascinating Jon. Used this services regularly back in the day - think they were a Happy Eater before becoming a Little Chef. Had a big proper sit down restaurant for freshly cooked breakfast. Found it convenient as it wasn't as busy as Leicester Forest East. Guess that's why it closed. Didn't know it was shut - Feel I've lost part of my history.

[@alansimpson835]

Close Trevor. It was an AJ's Family restaurant before it was a Little Chef. Granada did a deal with AJ's to put them into some of their sites as a Little Chef rival but, once they got their hands on Little Chef, all AJ's ties were severed. AJ's was actually run by the wife of the guy who started Happy Eater too

[@contactjd]

Wow I've not heard mention of 'happy eater' for maybe 30 years. child hood memories flooding right back 🙂

[@theuktoday4233]

I have stayed in that Travelodge recently and its spooky staying on a closed motorway services... bring on the zombies!

[@Vtarngpb]

Excuse me, but the preferred term is “the Recently Undead.”

[@simongee8928]

You're bang on with your derogatory comments about modern service stations- ! 🤣 I still rue the days which saw the demise of transport caffs; good solid food & drink at decent prices. 😁

[@tobyjackman3212]

This is the best video I've ever seen about anything

[@AutoShenanigans]

Cheers mate :D

[@reubendensmore4648]

It's interesting seeing how centralized roadside services appear in the UK from an American perspective. Here, it's a bit of a mixed bag. There are state funded rest stops on the interstate which are simply meant for stretching and using the bathroom, and then there's sprawling roads ("stroads") that have your hotels, fast food, and gas stations. There's even buildings that combine the latter two, which appear at random. Good video.

[@chucky2316]

I've just watched a FBI files about Robert Cruz jnr. Lol he stopped at a services because they gave free showers, I watched one about Robert Ben Rhoades aswell ,he picked up one of his victims from the truck stop and called her a lot lizard lol

[@jdixon6329]

cool video fella 👍 old service station footage & interesting abandoned site 😀

[@sameyers2670]

Thank you for this I wasn't aware there had been a second services near Leicester

[@waynecooper3256]

Had an Olympic breakfast or two over the years at the site in my youth, great video !!!

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

Brilliant term, 'room temperature coffee'.

[@highpath4776]

depends how hot or cold ones room is

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

@@highpath4776 good point.

[@AlexHitchins]

Thanks

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nice one thanks mate!

[@borderlands6606]

Old service station promo shots are like old air travel marketing. An exciting and aspirational idea reduced to a depressing experience when it isn't a living hell.

[@EdwardMason9000]

Ah, Leicester Markfield! Never went, being a Leicestershire local, but seeing as it's off the motorway rather than Leicester Forest East which is just down the road, it's not surprising that it didn't last forever (although I thought it had lasted longer than 2014!)

[@williamstrachan]

One plus of this site is that you don't have to do the terrible merge out of LFE onto the M1 which is busy trying to either take traffic down to the M69 or the A46. It's not much of a plus, unlike the building.

[@616swifty]

Petrol station definitely lasted till 2018/19 as i used th shop to buy food while driving for HSS Hire but what he fails to mention is as you head up road to Coalville is more Petrol stations. Also the Esso garage actually excepted most fuel ⛽️ cards as all HSS vehicles had UKFUELS cards in the vehicles.

[@scooby1992]

Yes Leicester Forest East is fairly close to the south and more recently Donington Park isnt much further to the north .

[@bobandveganlover9532]

It's like your reading my mind to come up with video topics.

[@timmatthews9621]

You have just got to love this guy!

[@chrisbrookes1167]

I stopped and had a break there once when I didn’t have enough time left to get to LFE. Nice to know the back story of it.

[@pss1967]

@ 1:07 "Seen as somewhere to have a p155" LOL. This is how I regard most motorway service stations, (with the exception of Tebay and Stafford)

[@Victorflange]

Used to make regular trips up to Coalville and Ashby and that was my go to filling station for LPG. Had no idea it had closed down.

[@ianallen2]

I used to stop at these services nearly every day just to use hte toilets. I am shocked to see it closed. It wasnt known as a motorway services as it was just off the M1, but a good stopping point. I am not surprised it closed though as it was too expensive for a fuel station when there is another one just further down the road from it. Never did see many customers in there and the parking was virtually always empty.

[@chap666ish]

I've driven past that place hundreds and hundreds of times, either when driving north/south on the M1 or east/west on the A50, and it was *never* sign-posted properly. Mostly you'd only ever see the entrance to it if you were leaving the roundabout to head towards Coalville. I drove past it over the Christmas/New Year period and never even realised it had closed. It was always the poor relation to Leicester Forest East.

[@rbdriftin]

Lived here for decades, close to Markfield, had no idea this was ever a motorway stop

[@robertjones3223]

I always start your videos going what's the first thing he will say to crack me up today "... and instead seen as somewhere to have piss" wins today 😆

[@michaelclarkson2218]

Me too. I've got to say that cracked me up too. But my favorite one was his video on the history of McDonalds. That was an absolute classic.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Ive actually visited and eaten there in the past when it was a Little Chef. Its really sad that it now lies abandoned . If you google it there are pictures before it closed and afterwards before it was boarded up.

[@anthonycrompton6922]

Little Thief you mean surely?

[@barbelmeister]

I took my wife out for a meal there once. We had only just moved into the area and the only place we knew of was that Little Chef 😂😂

[@FandersonUfo]

well done again AS

[@MrHollistic1]

thanks so much for this...well in

[@Mike-H_UK]

I love the Sherlock Holmes bit where you look for different colour paintwork being re-exposed from a forgotten era.

[@AutoShenanigans]

It's a shame I notice such things... :D

[@electric_leo1630]

You should also look at the abandoned service station on the A14 next to Bar Hill sometime

[@AutoShenanigans]

Yes I know the one!

[@elixier33]

Hey hey x love your content and channel

[@vulture3874]

Watford Gap or Newport Pagnell? I always thought Forton (0:58) was first. As for room temperature drinks, I can confirm that the tea served at Newport Pagnell was near boiling; at least it was in1973. I found this out as I pulled a cup off the table and over myself when I was 3. Cue flashbacks of scalding, pain and a trip to a hospital.

[@malbecb6774]

Looking on street view, you enter towards the Travelodge and you see the closed building. As you get closer to Travelodge you are greeted by a Coffee Nation sign and an open Burger King!

[@damedavidfrith55]

Thanks for another cracking vlog 🎉

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Another good video 🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@sazwell]

This service station and the subsequent googling I did about it is actually what led me to your channel in the first place - the every service station vids that you did 😁 good to see it covered! I think there are gates there preventing you getting near to the building now?

[@marcwaller3657]

You can still get close as the Travelodge still being open prevents them fencing that area off

[@AutoShenanigans]

On my visit you could walk up to and around the main building with ease :)

[@tidysampler585]

As ever, a jovial & entertaining script. Plus informative in many ways. Always worth watching all the way till the end 👍

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nice one, cheers mate!

[@roomullan3050]

Love your informative and to the point explanations. Just enough humour. Very entertaining

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks a lot!

[@adamjones1914]

Very interesting vids mate with humour like it 😁😁

[@2001davebowman]

Hi, sorry, just popped in at the 8 second mark to give a shout out to the incredible Skelton Lake services off the M1, just north of Leeds. A service station so great that we regularly divert our journey TO there. In other words, the services has become the destination in its own right! OK, that's me done. I'm off to Skelton Lake!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Skelton lake is great, probably because it's new!

[@rob180490]

I stayed in the travelodge around 2014 I think when indeed the lights were still on and no metal boarding was on the windows or doors, you could see the main eatery area was flooded around all the tables and chairs left behind, also if you went round the back to the service area the refrigerators were still kicking on and off and the water still on (water tanks visible and indeed open behind what I assume was the toilets) all boarded up now and forgotten about, I do have some photos somewhere if anyone is interested, the travelodge still relys on the main building for some of its services such as hot water etc

[@nicks4934]

It’s hard to tell if some service stations are abandoned or not 😂

[@markb3915]

I remember getting petrol at at the BP there just before the lockdowns started. The people running it were given notice of eviction and the sight was going to be redeveloped, with new fast food outlets etc . The previous restaurants and facilities had been shut years before though. I wonder why the redevelopment has never happened ?

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Shame you could not get in for a look, but another interesting video my friend.

[@alistairpatterson429]

Got cut up heading north at forest east busting for a piss and missed the services, vaguely remembered this place existed. Came off the motorway, saw the services sign and turned in to see this absolute mess of green and graffiti. Ridiculous that you posted this about half an hour after I discovered it for myself😂

[@AutoShenanigans]

Theres many bushes to choose from at least...

[@loswilko]

Wonder if someone like Gridserve would go for it. Has some potential i would say as an EV charge hub.

[@AutoShenanigans]

I think they might be looking into it.

[@strummer6642]

It was convenient for East Midlands if you knew where it was BUT not sign posted on the motorway and not on the motorway so NOT a motorway services.

[@defender1006]

I stayed there back in the mid 2000's, it was well in decline then, I stopped there again later on when only the filling station was operating and the Travelodge of course. I had a look around the services area and could still see into the main lobby/hall area, quite dilapidated but still showing signs of it's last occupants. It's a bit sad to see it in it's current state I'm sure there's a use for it?

[@Havark420]

Leicester east is one of my fav services

[@jasongriffin4790]

Hey I live right by this one. Used to be the go to for burger king as a kid

[@terezacrisu8896]

i lived (yes lived) in the travelodge for a few weeks in 2017, didnt think much of the place except that the bus driver only stopped if they wanted to and that everything looked a bit sad

[@malcolmyoung7866]

John, I drive past that place a couple of months.. yeah it’s a closed service area but now ,suddenly it’s Leicester Services of all places.. I think my mate has parked there a couple of times (for free) in his truck.(cheapskate) thinking he was going to get fined for it. I guess I can put his fears to rest now.. the tight git!! Anyhoo I shall now regale him with my new found knowledge and expertise and again try to get him to subscribe but he rarely gets past any videos to do with colonic irrigation etc(or is that in another video platform🤔) Keep these coming they are ‘funny as..’ and very well presented…

[@whichwasher2007]

ah the lovely music from the car service menu on gran turismo 4.

[@AutoShenanigans]

It's the best soundtrack ever!

[@samuelgamble7709]

I have vague memories of this. Living local, just down the A511 near Ashby, but can only just about remember a BK. Had no idea it closed despite being nearby and working for Moto!

[@MattHill303]

I was looking at this in Google maps a few days ago and surprised to see it all closed up, I'm guessing it must still be owned by Euro Garages because it's exactly the sort of location the likes of Gridserve are looking for their EV charging hubs like the one they are building up at J29a. Oddly although living in the area on and off for most my life it never really crossed my mind it was a motorway services.

[@xr6lad]

Somewhere for people with too much money needing to find somewhere to sit for an hour and make their journeys even longer while watching ICE cars pass down the road and refill in 5 minutes and be on their way. Yes probably….will become a hub.

[@MattHill303]

@@xr6lad To be fair I rarely stop for more than 20-25 minutes any more and that's on the rare occasion I need a top-up while out, toilet stop and grab a bite to eat to take out or a coffee and off again. Back in 2015/16 taking an 80mile range EV on 1000 mile trips from Derbyshire around Ireland and back that was when EVs were fun, it's too normal now.

[@Calamancotrading]

Went most weekends in the cricket season. I didnt realise it has been shut so long but shows how time flies😮

[@dabogeyman6280]

Just some where to take a piss 🤣🤣 Best quote of this month 🤣

[@jacobswanson3301]

I drive past this a lot on the M1 and see it marked as [NO FUEL] under the name on waze, cool to finally see it

[@Alex58399]

The Gran Turismo 4 GT auto music at the end!

[@alantheskinhead]

My mum worked at LFE Services restaurant in the 1960's when it was a destination place. It was designed by Conran and it was the place to be on a Saturday night. Also I have pictures of my dad standing a newly completed bridge before the actual road was laid down. He helped design some of the heavy electrics for the lighting and Fog signalling. I can remember as kid going from Leicester to London in an hour flat in a 2000E Cortina! I would never of been there if the planners had their way as the M1 was supposed to have gone the other side of Markfield, thus ruining Bradgate Park. Even on maps today the M1 has that odd long bend around Leicester. The original idea was to skirt Groby then direct to Nanpantan... Don't even get me started on the Outer Ring Road in Leicester!!!