Bolton West Services M61
Comment on Bolton West Services MSA
I have stopped at this services for the first time ever and I thought I travelled through time to mid 70's Toilets aweful, clean but aweful and outside it looked like nobody cleaned up there for years
Rob, 27 July 2010
We visited this service area this morning and were so disgusted that we have written the following email to Chorley Council>: This morning (18 July 2010 at approx 11:30am) we stopped at the Northbound service area (Bolton West Services - M61) for a comfort break. We were appalled by the standard of facilities available and noted numerous health and safety issues including: Insufficient road-markings and signposting in car parking area. Overgrown verges restricting visibility when emerging from car parking area. Cracked and broken paving stones outside the building. Cracked and broken floor tiles inside the building. Leaking ceilings and soaked ceiling tiles inside the building. Wet floors inside the building with insufficient warning signs. Pallets containing bread-rolls outside cafeteria area close to leaking ceilings and wet floors. Shopping area only partially lit (possibly as a result of electrical problems caused by ingress of water?) Dirty and smelly toilets (Mens and Womens). Toilet cubicles with broken or missing locks on doors in Womens toilets. Toilet cubicles inaccessible in Womens toilets. Dirty windows in Mens toilet areas. Dust and cobwebs on flat surfaces in Mens toilet areas. Cracked and damaged porcelain sinks in Mens toilet areas. Sinks with missing or broken taps in Mens toilet areas. Insufficient water flow in sinks in Womens toilet areas. Water temperature insufficient in Mens and Womens toilet areas. Lack of soap in Mens and Womens toilet areas. Malfunctioning and broken hand-dryers in Mens and Womens toilet areas. Would you please investigate these issues as a matter of urgency and advise me what action is being taken. Thank you in anticipation. Regards, Gavin and Karen Harrison
Gavin and Karen Harrison, 18 July 2010
I came into these services on the north side going towards blackpool and used the toilets and went to the newsagents and there was nobody there i waited about 5-10 mins and a woman turns up (red spikey hair) who came through the main enterance whom i saw smoking outside when i came in 15 minuites earlier and did not even apologise and just went yeah and served me and i gave a ten pound note for a transaction of 1.59 and she dumped the pound coins on the counter and went well thats my pound coins gone gave them to me and went out of the newspaper shop whilst i was still stood there to shout another member of staff alreday at the entrance and said "pissed off with people coming whilst im trying to have a fag" . i normally go to the BP spar shop which i shall be using from now on as there is always a friendly face their. i know there are two separate companies owning each. well ill be taking my custom to the spar shop from now on! and whoever owns the service station the one with the UN-open burger king needs new staff or retrain the ones they have. no wonder its run down with ignorant staff like that
az, 16 July 2010
Only stop here for petrol - avoid all other needs, as the facilities are simply appalling.
Martin Brown, 4 July 2010
the company is euro garages from blackburn. they are a asian firm they are very good umployers for the asian that come over here wanting work 99% of the work force are asians. the place is a mess but who cares.
kathy, 23 June 2010
As a fairly regular user of this service area (2-3 times a month) I can confirm that the site has been left to go to the pigs by 'First.' The staff I've encountered have been plesent enough to me. As for people popping out for a cig, the impression I get is that noone was on hand to provide break cover for these people, so I cant blame then for downing-tools for a few minutes for a drink and a smoke. The conditions they have to work in are clearly no better than the ones we are using either. I dont know who the new owners are, I was hoping Welcome Break would take over the site, but I dnt think thats likely. Anyway, good to see they have all but pulled on side down and intend to rebuild it. Its a vital re-fuling stop for me after busy days at Blackpool pleasure beach!
Ash, 15 June 2010
Myself and a few friends visited hoping for a quick snack before the Pink Concert. We left quicker than we arrived. Th toilets are appauling and main communal area is a death trap and with my mind running wild i felt like it was something from a horror movies. I will not be visiting again.
J Firth, 13 June 2010
If you read the signs on the front of the building its called Rivington Lodge it has not been a Travelodge for the past nine months.
a, 13 June 2010
I think the Bolton West services is a disgrace. I booked a room with this hotel and confirmed with them a week ago that my booking was all fine and they was waiting for me and my friends to come and stay because we were going to the pink concert on june 12th. When we got there the whole place was shut and half demolished and the staff there did not even have the decency to contact me and let me know that our booking was cancelled. We have been stranded in bolton because the train station wouldn't even let us come home and we've had to sell our 3 standing tickets to the concert for £40 just to get enough money to come home. We travelled all the way from south east London and even when we called up to talk to the staff they just said it weren't there problem. You call yourself a travelodge, your a disgrace to the hotel indrusty and you will be shown what a bunch of idiots you are.
kayleigh, 13 June 2010
The Manchester-bound side has been largely demolished. There are some plumbed portaloos near the petrol station.
Andrew, 25 May 2010
I have got to say that this service station is the worst I have ever been in. The place was filthy - the toilets a disgrace, taps held on with string, there was only two of the hand dryers working. We thought when we approached the service area that it was a derelict building. NEVER AGAIN
Mr. T. Foy, 19 May 2010
Nina the Burger King Manager should be sacked - attidude towards customers are a disgrace - will not be returning to this outlet
Joan, 9 May 2010
had the misfortune of stopping here on 30/04/10 on our way to the Lakes, what a disgrace, the toilets are a Health Hazzard and should have warning signs on the doors infact the whole place should, does the health inspector not visit here??? how can they get away with it in the UK in this day and age I have seen cleaer pig sties
Trudy Biddleston, 7 May 2010
Stopped in on way home from a weekend in Manchester. The older man serving in the shop was more interested in reading the sunday papers than dealing with customers. Some customer care training is required.
Al, 5 May 2010
drove past tonight most of the southbound side has been demolished
Michael, 2 May 2010
I live near these services and have the pleasure of going here every weekend for Brunch! i am always treated like royalty and cant understand the complaints!
Mike Oxlong, 27 April 2010
called in for a paper the lady in the shop i believe someone called her Janet was outside smoking just couldnt be bothered to serve me was more interested in talking to two other members of staff from Burger King wont be calling back
claire, 21 April 2010
Was very disappointed. Toilets were smelly. Had to be one of the worst service stations ive been to.
jordan, 19 April 2010
OMG u all need to get a grip u are all quick at commenting on the service station but most people who call in are regulars you all make me sick!!!! and as for the bad comments about the staff pathetic is all i can say we all go out of our way to make people feel welcome we have to work in the services in the state its in and we just get on with it we maybe abit down somedays as we have lost alot of friends as there has been alot of changes since the services has been took over and the big one was staff being made redundant!!!!! i wolud like to let u all kno as of monday 12th april the development starts with the south side so please all call in again in 3 month time and then put your comments on!!!
jessica, 11 April 2010
Went in last night, smelt like an old peples home. Empty rooms on the right, horrible place. Wants demolishing!!!!!
Pete, 4 April 2010
I've read all the comments. Maybe it is the worst in the country but I can definately say once the new owners knock it down and rebuild it you will find it is one of the best services in the country. The new owners have turned around many services and forecourts over the last 10 years. Blame first motorway. What a disgrace. I look forward to visiting the new build which will be a pleasure.
anonymous, 10 March 2010
came into these services goin towards manchester it was cold inside and nowere to eat but was a shop and a hotel and the restaurant has shut ready for a rebuild which i will be coming back to see. the staff here were friendly considering what they are working around
sara, 5 March 2010
THIS IS NOT A SERVICE STATION ITS A BOMB SITE the staff are rude the toilets dirty in fact saying its a bomb site is unfair to bomb sites. i will not be calling again no hot food no showers. just pull it down dont bother to rebuild its not worth it no one wants to call here again.
anon, 3 March 2010
Neede a toilet stop last Friday evening. Bolton West is disgusting, but I am cheered to learn that the new owners are to tackle the dirty toilets in the only way possible - With a Bulldozer. They are beyond anyone other normal means of cleaning.
Coach Driver, 1 March 2010
at least the last person to comment got served at the shop. i went in on wednesday and when i got to the counter to pay the woman was stood outside smoking. i work in retail myself but i would never be allowed to leave my till to go outside for a smoke. perhaps new owners would definately change this policy.
susan, 26 February 2010
The bleakest coldest place on earth. I bought a small packet of digestives from the shop and was asked for £1.67 The member of staff responded in the negative when I enquired if she was married to Dick Turpin. Amazed I managed to drive out of the exit slip road without damaging a tyre.
Stuart, 23 February 2010
shocking SHOCKING it was like going back in time, this service area has to be the dirtiest unfriendliest service area in the whole of Europe teh staff think they are a rule to them selves I hope who ever buys this once lovely services sacks the lot of them and employes a freindly bunch who understand what customer service means and know how to use a cleaning cloth
Steve, 17 February 2010
we who work at these services are tired and fed up of all your nasty comments. new owners are in the midst of demolishing the place. they are not to blame. rob millar and noel richardson are. they took everything out of it and never bothered to maintain the place. as long as they was taking money they did not care about the staff or anything else so all please write to first motorway services at magor. south wales with all your nasty comments. massive improvements start march 1st. watch this space
employee, 10 February 2010
I echo other comments. A horrible place and only to be used in dire emergency. But if you MUST stop here, then please drive slowly and carefully as soon as you get off the slip-road. The whole place is pot-holed like an off-road rally track. Made worse by recent bad weather, sure, but they make no effort to fix anything. I burst a tyre and ruined the wheel when i accidently drove through a crater on entrance to the carpark in Jan. Cost me £300+ to get fixed and I only called in for a paper! But when I went in again this week, i saw that the road seems to be even worse now, if anything. Even a pile of stones & sand chucked in there would help, but nobody bothers.... Sooner someone decent buys this place the better! Maybe the lovely people who run Tebay would like another operation?
Adrian Bull, 9 February 2010
nobody will have had the same problem shaun, mistakes happen when giving people change and nobodies perfect! and as for rude well thats pathetic no one person who works in the spar is rude. everyone has days where they are tired and not 100% but nobody is rude. i think people just complain for the buzz. you had your problem sorted so whats your problem? which was obviously an innocent mistake
haha, 29 January 2010
The lady on the till in the spar shop short changed me... I caught her out and said that, she instantly snarled at me and gave me the correct change out of the till before I had chance to say what it was. She was subsequently rude and when i asked for the manaher tel no gave me the wrong number. Anyone else had similar probs?
Shaun, 27 January 2010
Julie: You were quick enough to post all your nonsense on this site, now its my turn. After eating half your meal, you then demanded a refund, it cant have been all that bad can it?! As for the size of the cheeseburger meals being "the equivalent to a MacDonalds happy meal" i would REALLY love to know which MacDonalds you go to! Next, there were some 'black things' on his half-eated chicken royale. These looked like rat droppings i kid you not." About time you visited Specsavers i think. And as for contacting the environmental health, Would you like to reply yourself and point out that it was infact Carbon, and not "rodent droppings?" Last but not least, you say you were given no explanation as to what the "Black things" were, yet earlier in your little "story" you stated "The young man thought it was 'grease from the tongs'." If you had actually bothered to be reasonable an LISTEN whilst he was talking to you, you would have had a explanation and an apology, along with a refund. Please call again soon.
Me, 16 January 2010
well i ate a chicken royale and my husband had a whopper on the same day as this woman and we thoroughly enjoyed it. some people are very sad and just enjoy grumbleing. i notice she said half eaten. it took a long time for her to notice
val, 7 January 2010
myfamily and i visited Burger King at Bolton services today. We ordered 2 double bacon cheeseburger meals and a chicken royale meal. The size of the cheeseburger meals (£4.99) was equivalent to a MacDonalds happy meal, i pointed this out and requested a refund for my meal. Shortly after leaving my young son pointed out that there were some 'black things' on his half-eated chicken royale. These looked like rat droppings i kid you not. There were stuck to the bread roll and were scattered within the actual wrapper. We took the food back and pointed this out. The young man thought it was 'grease from the tongs'. I said i was going to contact the environmental health as they looked like rodent droppings. He then went to get themanager. We were given a full refund but no expalnation of what these black things were. I have brough the offending food and wrapper back to Blackpool and will be contacting the environmental health tommorrow. Sun. 03/01/2010 DO NOT EAT HERE
JULIE, 3 January 2010
Abysmal! I wanted to get out of there as quickly as I could.
, 20 December 2009
Towing may caravan, I stopped for a coffee and toilets on the southbound side. These must be some of the tattiest services on the whole network. It starts in the car park, where there is no clear signage, nothing is lined out and trafic flow is free-for-all; the site access road is severely pot-holed and the toilets...dirty walls and floors, tiles missing, in dire need of demolition. On a positive note, there was warm water, sopa and a functional hand drier. Only a machine to get a coffee from, but it was a reasonable cappucino. Nowhere to sit except my car, unless I was prepared to trail across an open footbridge to the other side (in the driving sleet!). Not a very happy experience: the whole place looks un-loved, inside and out, like some obscure Soviet backwater! when is this facility to be improved, please? When this does happen, please don't put caravans in the with HGV's, and do consider the needs of disabled caravanners, who can't walk miles to the building. Thanks
David Mycock, 18 December 2009
Eastbound. Ladies toilets - overpowering smell of urine and drains, most toilet doors had broken locks, no hot water and hand driers out of order. Could not get out quick enough.
Brenda Carroll, 13 December 2009
Oh dear what a disaster! I feel for Ms Derbyshire and all the staff who have been streated so disgracfully!
Ed, 6 December 2009
01254 777766 the correct number
sam, 5 December 2009
to mrs dorothy hunt never got any of your messages or photos of your trousers please ring euro garages 01257777766 they are in charge not myself i was made redundant along with other staff if i had got your letter i would have reponded
wendy derbyshire, 2 December 2009
Wendy Darbyshire is no longer the manager at these services she has been made redundant along with another 10-15 other staff - 4 weeks before Christmas !! - the owners of these services are Euro Garages - Head office: Euro Garages Euro House Blackburn Road Darwen BB3 1QJ
Unknown, 2 December 2009
I really wished I had read the reports on this service area before I HAD to stop here on the 19th November to use the facilities. I quickly used the ladies, previous comments say it all, there was a male attendent cleaning the floor (NO SIGN), this is normal at motorway services. The toilet floor was wet through so I took great care not to let my trousers touch the floor. The seat was wet through so I wiped it with loo roll. When I got home later in the afternoon and got changed I discovered my trousers which were brown must have touched the pottery surround of the wc and were ruined with orange/bleach marks on the lower back and behind both knee areas. This was the only placed we stopped at, so it goes without saying it could have only happened here. I rang several times the day after to speak to the manager Ms Wendy Derbyshire but she was not available. I wrote a letter of complaint, and sent a picture of my trousers on the 21st November and to date (30th) I have even received an acknowledegment to my letter. I will not let this end here.
Dorothy Hunt, 30 November 2009
Bolton West is really not a place you would visit if you can avoid it.
Karen Carnegie, 25 November 2009
This place should be condemned. I feel sorry for the staff. Filthy, cold, with leaking toilets and dirty floors. Car park full of pot holes. Horrid. Why is no-one putting money into this thing?
Jon, 25 November 2009
DO NOT STOP AT THIS SERVICE STATION. IT IS ATROCIOUS AND HEALTH AND SAFETY SHOULD CLOSE IT DOWN. THE TILES ARE FALLING OFF THE BATHROOM WALLS AND IT SMELLS DAMP. IT IS FREEZING COLD AND AT 7.00 IN THE EVENING ONLY THE BURGER KING WAS OPEN. I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS PLACE IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TRADING - IT IS THE WORST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN IN. IT SHOULD BE CONDEMNED.
Alison Fletcher, 24 November 2009
This has got to be the most disgusting service station I have ever had the misfortune to use. The toilets were an absolute disgrace. Most of the toilets were blocked, the floors were filthy and wet and no loo paper in any of the cubicles that I looked in. There were soggy ceiling tiles everywhere that looked like they could drop on you at any time and most of the taps were permanently on wasting gallons of water. This service station may be due to be demolished, but there is no excuse for this horrendous state of affairs. The place should be condemned!
JANE, 11 November 2009
where do i start...........booked a room in the hotel you have to try and find the hotel receptionist who seemed to be upstairs in a room as when i had been checked in went back to the room and shut the door probably watching television and looked as if she had just been woken and was not exactly clean looking when she did appear. then go out after 10pm you have had it notice on door saying services shuts at 10.30 well im sorry but it was shut at 10pm when i wanted to come back in and yet again no receptionist as the woman was in the shop. dont know who owns this place if i did i would have complained but as i was leaving there was no signs of anybody at 7.30am you woul think there would be some hotel staff about not even a housekeeper PATHETIC
Mr Henderson, 31 October 2009
all staff to lose there jobs the B N P would have a field day
, 28 October 2009
after a wonderful piece of advertising in the Bolton Evening News how these services are going to be done up the staff are told they are going to loose their jobs well done Euro Garages!!!
., 28 October 2009
Time to demolish this - it looks neglected and dirty, and actually stinks. I feel sorry for the staff - it must be grim to work in such a desolate and demoralising place!
, 25 October 2009
This has got to be the worst and the dirtiest service station I have ever stopped at. From what I can gather, the services were modernised in '92 and may be taken over by another operator in the future, but this is no excuse for the state of the place. There were dead insects on the window sills (which incidentally were crispy, due to the duration they had been there), the paper is peeling off the walls, there's a film of grease covering most of the furnishings and the staff have adopted a 'couldn't give a toss' attitude. And why should they give a toss when their employer clearly doesn't care. PULL YOUR SOCKS UP, FIRST. YOUR SERVICES NEED TO BE REPORTED TO THE HEALTH STANDARDS AGENCY.
Sam, 20 October 2009
well what can i say the building is a disgrace as is the staff the woman in the shop was talking non stop on her mobile not a hello a smile or a good bye and as for burger king dirty when i eventually did get served by a guy who i could only say grunted (we do speak english you know)the food was terrible is this really a burger king it falls way below the standard of burger from my local and i will be taking this up with head office!!!!!
sandra, 16 October 2009
this place is a hole. been a hgv driver for years and this is the biggest dump i've ever been in. dirty toilets. shower is disgusting. the cafe must be illegal. there's no way that food is safe. i'm a trucker and not even i would eat that scrap. employes are misserable but not suprised working in such dingy dump hole. rather mess me self than stop in there. be carefull if you ever pay buy card as well as i've been robbed buy there staff. when that place gets demolished i'll be there with my party poppers.
dan, 13 October 2009
god sent angels....da staff der went out of their way 2 help me...i had no phone, couldnt access my numbers to ring anyone, no money and no petrol...the staff filled my car in with 10 pound so i could get home safely...der was also i gentleman who gave me 5 pound visiting there towards my petrol...i have never met any staff with such big hearts... all i can say is a very big THANKYOU XXX
Noreen Ali, 12 October 2009
after waiting a full 10 minutes at the burger king (empty counter) listerning to members of staff swearing and looking straight through me i gave up - dirty tables with tray after tray of disreguarded food doesnt anybody clean? will not be stopping here again
g, 12 October 2009
Rumour has it that the staff alarm still doesnt work, but they only found out when they needed it. Shows the level of care running throughout the entire facility!
Ian Lambert, 4 October 2009
The staff here are absolutly digracegul! Will not be coming back!
Jayne Kelly, 12 September 2009
(Rivington South) Stopped for petrol and toilet. Difficult to find way round as no lighting. Diesel spillage by pumps. Rude, disinterested man at till. Thankful I wasn't alone as I didn't feel safe.Didn't bother to look for toilets, but couldn't and didn't see where they were.
, 6 September 2009
Went on a very busy Saturday but this is no excuse for no toilet paper in any of the cubicles in the ladies toilets. There seemed to be a toilet attendant - sitting on one of the toilet seats in THE only cubicle to have toilet paper - but never offered to give me any of the precious stuff and was quite happy for us to use and flush paper hand towels. The Manager hid from me when I complained to staff and nothing was done about it! Get the feeling they are happy to take the money and couldn't give a fig about the amenities, decor, or hygiene - perhaps the manager is lining his own pocket with the toilet paper budget?
Jayde Fletton , 6 September 2009
I visited the Burger King at Bolton West around 11.45am yesterday, with my son and two other friends and their children. We ordered various items from the menu, including two chicken royale meals. When my friend was being served, the young man who was serving her dropped a bag of chicken bites and then proceeded to put them on my friend’s tray. My friend said she didn’t want food that had been dropped on the floor. After some argument, the man eventually replaced them. My friend and I could not eat our Chicken Royale sandwiches because they were luke warm. We returned them, asking if they had a probe to check the temperature - a young woman said she would make fresh ones for us. No sooner, had we returned to our table, the woman brought the Chicken Royales over to us. Although the sandwiches were obviously not the ones we had taken back, they could not have possible been cooked from fresh, due to the very short time lapse. After starting to eat the ‘fresh’ sandwiches, which were tasteless, we examined the contents. Firstly, the coating looked quite dark – as if it had been re-fried (hence the chicken was hot but tasted disgusting), the ‘chicken’ had an elastic, sponge-like consistency and did not look like chicken. We voiced our complaints to the young woman, taking the sandwiches back to the counter. The duty manger than came to speak to us, brought us a copy of the ingredients list, took our names and addresses and offered to replace our meal, which we refused. AT NO TIME WERE WE OFFERED A REFUND in place of the inedible meal.
Claire Carrington , 6 September 2009
miss a is a member of staff as is A.W
, 5 September 2009
regards MISS A comment, i wish i could of turned round, my hours where up in my HGV and as i'd already put it on my legal break before i took my life in my hands by walking in the place i was stuck there for a full 45 mins.
estelle, 4 September 2009
I went to burger king with my mate at Bolton West and we both got a double cheese burger meal and as I bit into mine the burger was pink it was not cooked and i took it back to the till and when we left the resturaunt i was being sick all afternoon and i had a bad stomach i have been to this resturaunt before but i am certainly not going back there ever again because i didnt expect to be sick after having my lunch and i am disgusted in the way it was given to me and i thought they were supposed to have there cooking items at the right temperature but obviously theres were not and I ended up with food poisoning.
Russell Martin , 2 September 2009
Just reading through the comments for bolton west services what i cant understand is if its that bad why dont you just turn round and go somewhere else instead of actually stopping and then buying something to eat.
miss A, 29 August 2009
I was going to complain about Bolton West, but Dean Keates has said it far more eloquently than I could. If there is a worse Service Station in the UK I would hate to see it. The sooner it is bulldozed into oblivion the better. It was dirty, the service came without a smile and the Burger King redefined "fast" food. And don't visit the toilets unless you can sing or whistle!!
Patrick Johnson, 29 August 2009
I am a sales rep and average 30,000 miles a year for the last 20 years and I can assure you that this is the dirtiest service station I have ever experienced. Expecially the toilets at the petrol station. Health Safety should look at them. Faeces all over the bowl and under seat. This is not just a one off mishap it is obvious been over a period of years. It is a total disgrace and not a very good impression to tourists enterin Lancashire
Lesley Kirkham, 28 August 2009
Drove into the Northbound bomb site , no parking lines , half the car park lights were not working and potholes everywhere, nice to see there trying to enter the Chelsea garden show with weeds growing out of the paths and part of the roof, the toliets ( gents ) smacked of 1973 with brown with a hint of grime as the colour scheme, customers are kept happy by looking into the roof space from many of the closed off areas where the roof tiles have fallen down due to a leaky roof , was delighted to see the standards didnt slip as a spotty 15 year old took my order at Burger King and did his multitasking with picking his nose and scratching his arse whilst i waited for my order. If anyone has no been to Bolton West Services then do pay a visit as its experience to say the least
Dean Keates, 26 August 2009
Customers who use Bolton West services have to put up with poor hygiene in eating areas and toilets and abysmal service from surly, unmotivated staff,
Tommy Williams , 26 August 2009
I thought people were joking when I read all the comments on how bad Bolton West services were .......... No there right ! stay away
Jamie Day , 24 August 2009
Hitler would have been proud of the northbound bomb site
Paul Coutts, 24 August 2009
poor value for money, poorly managed, and poorly maintained
Joe Lewis , 23 August 2009
This has to be the worst services ive ever been too , hope they pull it down soon
Charlie Lee , 23 August 2009
Just stopped at the northbound services, it was like a bombsite , holes in the roofs, gents toliets was like a step back into 1970 and the coffee tasted like mud
George Boyd , 23 August 2009
Disgusting,filthy,the ceilings are falling in ,not enough staff, not one toilet roll in any of the toilets this morning,and quite frankly i don't care if the staff hours have been cut and there are no night cleaners the basics in hygiene are not being met, The whole lot should be closed immediately.
estelle, 18 August 2009
Why the H&SE have not closed this place down god only knows
Dave Bamber, 16 August 2009
I visited these services the other day and wish that i had never bothered it is such a dump. the toilets are 'MINGING. there is hardly any facilities and the cafe is awful. DON'T GO TO THESE SERVICES
Michael, 11 August 2009
It amazes me how much of a dump this place is, worth a visit to to see how bad it is. Toilets terrible, taps dont work, j clothes to catch drips. Slip roads like a gravel track, grounds not maintained, weeds everywhere.
T Ravell, 2 August 2009
has been taken over by a company called Euro Garages LTD. The employees are all great whom i have met during my extremly pleasent stays at this motorway service station. i do believe that this business will change for the better under new managment. i hope to enjoy many more visits here when traveling from scotland and have the joy if staying in the hotel.
A.W, 1 August 2009
Words fail me,a total dustbin of a place. I would drive past this dump.
Graham Eaton, 28 July 2009
it is now euro garages they are treating the staff like shit. long live first motorway services they knew how to talk to their employees
anon, 25 July 2009
i really like this motorway services. The staff are great the food is nice, maybe a bit old fashioned but what the heck stop here quite a lot i think its great.
Mr Hale, 9 July 2009
just been talking to a member of staff apparantley they have been taken over and are now owned by eurogarages.the reason there is no staff on is because their hours have been cut,if you were planning to stop at bolton services be prepared to wait.
anon, 8 July 2009
Called at the services this evening, thought they were closed as no staff! Then saw a poor lady on her own trying to cope with the great demand on a very very hot summers night, no managment presence - this is disgracful that 1 member of staff is left carrying the can while the fat cats sit at home getting richer not on my money any more will NOT be calling here again........
Unsatisfied Customer, 2 July 2009
I feel like I have been robbed. After a long journey trhough the night I felt a break was needed. I stopped off at the northbound station to get a coffee and fries from the burger king and was rudly ignored by a young girl with with unhygenically plastered make up on talking on her phone. After 5 minutes of standing at the counter she aggresivly said YES! No manners what so ever. I am highly appauled with this awful behavour towards the customer service. I would have been happy to report this to a higher member of staff but the girl said no. Unfortunatly she did not have a name badge on either!
Jennifer, 2 July 2009
i think these services should be knocked down,there an embarresment 2 the uk,no toilet roll,u cant flush the toilets,u cant wash ur hands as the water is way to hot,sort these services out
Giles Tufton, 1 July 2009
Visited the northbound side the other day and I wasn't impressed. Roof leaking with half of the ceiling tiles stained or missing, One area closed off due to the state of the roof Unfriendly staff who just look at you like you're a pile of dog s*** Decor on the toilets very dated, only warm water from the hot tap, 1 of 6 hand driers working. Car park spaces unmarked - just park where you like. Sooner the bulldozers move in the better I say!
Mark, 14 June 2009
So glad its been pulled down, visted it last week , staff was fine but the site is like a bomb site
Helen Race, 11 June 2009
i am a employee of these services just been told we have been taken over by another company.all the poeple who work here are very worried about their jobs.Rob & Noel the (pricks ) owners are to blame for the state of the place not the staff.hope you are all happy with the negative feedback you have given us in the past. by the way the company is euro garages ( not a british company )
anon, 6 June 2009
I am delighted and relieved to read that the Bolton West Services on the M61 are to be demolished and rebuilt. As an ex Boltonian I was horrified and ashamed of their shoddy condition when I visited them on 22 May 2009. The approach/exit roads are almost undriveable, buildings extremely shabby and the ladies toilets so smelly it was difficult to stay in long enough to use them! I look forward to a more inviting first impression of beautiful Bolton.
Louise Dyson, 2 June 2009
this site has been sold maybe it will get the refurbishments it so badly needs.
samantha, 22 May 2009
i stayed at this travelodge last night being tuesday 19 may in romm 203. i know the actual service area is rather dull and dated but that did not put me off again. the staff are very nice there was two ladies when i checked in that was very pleasent and was a great help as i was actually lost. i went for breakfast in the restaurant which was very quiet but nice. i will be i think
ms hovile, 20 May 2009
I called in here ont way to Accrington and found that the staff wear brilliant and didn't leave me waiting for owt. The burgers from the canteen were good and far better than a Burger King. Shabby place but grate staff and good food. This place is almost as good Wolverhampton. It's the people that make this a good services.
J G Ballard, 17 May 2009
I cannot speak for the northbound facilities. I stayed here for 5 nights and I was charmed by the place. I don't know how I would feel if I was just 'stopping off'. The car park and pot-holed roads are a disgrace - but that's the fault of the Highways AGency, not the msa operator. Riding a motorcycle I was appalled about the cattle grids on curves on either side of the bridge acros the motorway - very dangerous when it had been raining. Once again, the responsibility for this is down to the Highways Agency. I found the premises a bit dated, but charming. On an extended stay, I found the staff to be really pleasant. The Travelodge receptionist, who had been there ofr only a month, was very profesional and seem interested in my comings and goings. The restaurant was sadly underused by the travelling public. True, there was not an endless supply of re-heated food just sitting htere for hours awaiting customers. Instead, everything I had was cooked to order. A 5 or 10 minue wait was well worth it. Yes, it's a dated, it needs a refurbishment. I hope that any refurb does not remove the charm of the staff.
David Probett, 16 May 2009
What an absolute disgrace the burger king is in northbound. it was like something out of africa. woeful, unhappy and rude staff who smell and looked more like a crimanal line up than workers made me a whooper meal that was cold n i even found hair estensions in the chips disgusting this place needs knockin down and replaced by kfc.
Keith Mooney , 13 May 2009
The beautiful lady in question thought the rather dashing and fantastically tall chap picked the ideal venue. I have high hopes for Forton.
Ms Bennet, 10 May 2009
i visit the sevices every week on my way to preston.i have always found it to be one of the best for food and friendly staff the two ladies in the coffee shop are a credit to the company.the place is old but very clean.
lance mc gowan , 5 May 2009
Due to a complex set of circumstances I recently had the pleasure of taking a beautiful lady on a date to Bolton West Services and found them to be delightful. If you're looking for a main stream generic "McServices" then this place isn't for you. However, if you enjoy all things English and are prepared to look beyond the slightly tired surroundings you can have a thoroughly enjoyable visit. For the record, I do concurr with the other posters comments re the amount adult interest magazines available, simply staggering.
C Firth, 4 May 2009
Personally I found the services to be full of charm from a forgotten era, when motorways marked an era of hope and new enterprise. Unlike it's uniformly clinical compatriots, Bolton West has a genunine air of homely comfort and serves very good tea. I am told it also has a wide range of smut avilable to buy in the shop. So, a fabulous all rounder and I highly recommend a visit.
Ms G Stein, 1 May 2009
Potholes everywhere , no southbound lighting , food rubbish Bolton West Services are the Worst Services In England
Alan Taylor, 28 April 2009
Good Points: The exit Bad Points: Terrible food. I bought what I thought was a cheese and onion baguette. It contained cheap cheese, a few rings of onion, some rancid lettuce, some cubes of what I thought was chicken (turned out to be frankfurter sausage) and something I assumed was pineapple from the way it looked, but was certainly not. I still have no idea what it was. General comments: Apart from the general air of depression and neglect, the food is appalling and utterly inedible. The car park was a potholed wasteland, the cafeterias empty and depressing. Truly awful.
Ian Wisbech , 19 April 2009
Apart from above, this place has a very sinister feel to it, the car park and access roads are potholed and unlit and ones first impression is that it is closed, unfortunately.....it isn't. Service is no better once inside, surly and diffident staff. Perfect setting for a horror movie.
Laura Pinchbeck, 19 April 2009
This has to be the worst services in England its so bad ive e-mailed the H&SE to complain, as many have put before the Southbound services are the worse https://www.hse.gov.uk/feedback.htm Next stop the local MP
Paul Johnson, 19 April 2009
the entrance to the southbound site is a disgrace. as i entered the carpark i was almost thrown from my motorcycle as the front end disappeared into one of the massive, unavoidable, craters! thats not an exageration, these things are huge. and since the incident im sure theres damaged been done to my vehicle. someone should get a severe kick in the backside for allowing the place to get in such a state. i wont be stopping there again and would advise anyone who wants to keep there vehicle in working order to avoid it like the plague
D, leeds, 18 April 2009
Stopped off on the Southbound services, just a few words , what a crap hole !
Miss Jayde Baxter, 5 March 2009
Is this place stuck in the 1970's , very very poor ( Northbound ) , place looks a right crap hole
Mr Noel Jenkinson, 5 March 2009
stopped off here on thursday 27th february. Had to walk over the bridge which i was not all that happy about then i went to shop woman was to busy talkin on her mobile phone to be bothered serving me and asked her for a manager which she said no there is not one here now and then after that was busy talking to someone else when i was going to ask her for an address so went to the cafe for a take away drink nobody there so i didnt get a drink. wont be stopping here again as i told the rude cashier on the way out she said ok. very rude think you need sort out your staff two rude ones in shop none in restaurant
michael southern, 1 March 2009
I went to the burger king at this sevrice station and found that at memer of staff with the name gemma on her badge was very rude and ignorant towards me. I think a new recriting line should be put in place!!!
, 24 February 2009
this must be the worst managed place i have ever been to. i went 1 day last week and there wasnt 1 manager on site to deal with my complaint.perhaps a rebuilt would also benefit from new management
david seddon, 20 February 2009
I travel all over the country in my line of work& im afraid i can only add to the negative comments about this place!,rundown,dated ghost ship,by far the worse msa i have visited in the country!
tony west, 9 February 2009
It looks like a bomb site when you enter the car park , however the Northbound site is better than the Southbound Site as the car parking lighting never seems to work at all and you leave your car in a pitch black car park
Paul Johnson, 7 February 2009
OMG That was the worst service station i have ever visited. If you ever go in there.... just look at the roof tiles HA! Boarded up windows, smashed windows fixed with tape and generally not looked after. I ate at burger king as i didnt trust the restaurant. Funny little place though. If you saw the manager - you would know what Peter Kay was on about and he got the fatness absolutly correct.
Adam, 27 January 2009
Very run down service station!!! a red haired girl in shop was rather rude only looked about 15 and had no idea what she was doing and did not apolgize and said 1.35 and took my money and that was all i think its very rude no please or thankyou. i asked if i could have a vat reciept she said no dont have any discusted i was with the service i recieved i do think you should employ adults not kidz and teach them a few manners
m.shawe, 8 January 2009
I found the staff cheerful and helpful. However the place itself is horrible. I travel a lot and this is the worst 'service' station bar none. I won't be back until it has been rebuilt.
Mick Grant, 2 January 2009
It's the 'FIRST' and last time I stop here. I went to the toilets and went to wash my hands. The tap knob I used sliced into my thumb and drew blood. The tap knob has razor sharp edges and god knows what germs are harboured. Other taps are similar or don't have knobs on so yuo cannot use them. The whole place feels greasey and dirty.
Mike Tocher, 12 December 2008
just like sandbach service quite poor very basic the staff on the whole try but can only do so much due to the quality of what is on offer a bull dozer would be a kindness
steve ashworth, 30 November 2008
Very run down service station! but staff are good been in a few times in last month always had a friendly face! one thing thou i think you should have more information on your travelodge they dont have leaflets even iv asked twice but yes the staff are polite only normally go to the shop though bit pricy but the service is good
Lee , 9 October 2008
This is not only the worst motorway services but what I would consider as the most disgusting places I've had the misfortune to use the bathroom. Someone somewhere must think its cool to keep it looking the same as it did in 'that peter kay thing'
, 15 September 2008
firstly stopped at the shop to fin d the ignorant lady talking on her phone then when served me was too busy talking to another member of staff which i found very ignorant! went to the cafe to get a hot drink there was a young girl from travelodge there on the telephone to what sounded like a customer. when she finished she said she will go and find the assistant and she appologised then she got the woman the shop assistant was talking to was not impressed at this point then another person appeared who also worked in the cafe and was also pleasent and appologised abount my dilema as the woman from the shop came was rude (she was skinny and needs manners at least two out of four of your staff have respect)
discusted, 13 September 2008
Had the misfortune to visit here. Long time since my last visit, thankfully. The place is the absolute pits! Staff are too busy eating, drinking, talking on mobiles to be 4rsed to serve you. Toilets?? Sign outside should say 'Twinned with Chernobyl and Bhopal'...absolute 5hit hole. Emergency/side door propped open with a disused soil pipe [to the uninitiated this is the pipe which conveys your 'waste' to the sewer]...nice. Every tap is wrapped with a Jay Cloth as the taps, if they work, dripp all over the place.Toilet seats covered with toilet paper as a 'barrier'. The place is a disgrace the management should be made to clean up the site in their own time AND then fired. It has not got like this overnight. Makes you want to vomit, but you would be better waiting until the M6 or M60 services to do this as you may notbe able to stop yourself. Peter Kay filmed here once and I am sure that was the last time it got cleaned. So bad Bob Carolgees drove straight on, apparently
unhappy traveller, 29 August 2008
Visited here around 10.15pm to find the shop was closed was not impressed one bit, the restaurant was open but had to wait 20 minuites for something hot to eat the member of staff that that served me was sat at the table with another member of staff and did not want to get up to serve me and when did had no manners what so ever sort your shop opening times out this is pathetic and your staffs CUSTOMER SERVICES
joan deleany, 7 August 2008
i visited this dump yesterday and asked the cleaner if he could get me the manager to which he replied "they will probably be at the back door fagging it. they spend most of the day there. the only time you see them is when the bosses come up from wales." no wonder the place is how it is
ray holland, 29 July 2008
Quite the most disgusting services I have ever been to. The general areas weren't too bad but the toilets were maloderous and had no toilet paper or soap - yuk!!! Will not be stopping there again.
Alexandra Sharman, 28 July 2008
This place is a little gem! I am sorry to hear it is being renovated because it had such a special feel to it and the furnishings were traditional just how I like it.
Sally , 13 July 2008
Visted the service station tonight, was very quiet but got fresh food as the lady in blue had to cook fresh the one in red was bit rude! went into shop as well was nice to see two happy faces laughing and having a joke with the customers
J.Mather, 8 July 2008
The dirtiest, depressing, pathetic services I've ever had the misorftune to stop at. Nearly went on my backside in the gents toilet due to broken floor tiles. The guy who served looked as if he needed a hose down. To be fair apparently they are carrying out major refurbishment in September, my suggestion would be to demolish it and start again. If you read this before September and your not to desperate drive on to the next services.
George McDonald. , 7 July 2008
i was talking to a member of staff today, apprentley these services are being taken over by moto. Perhaps it will finally get some much needed investment... although a bulldozer would be a good start
John, 7 July 2008
We call here on the way back from either Cumbria or Scotland after long rides. They must have freshened the place up a bit because the toilets are reasonably clean now and the cafe area with clean tables etc. The staff are very polite although a bit grumpy (UK'itis?). Who can blame them, its not the most glamorous work place I've seen. Very run down exterior but the inside is quite pleasant. The approach road is lethal on a motorcycle and the exit is no better. No free water at the services, I thought this was now a legal requirement?
R Taylor, 19 June 2008
I can't help but feel that driving my car into the No 4 reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant would do less damage to both my car and my nervous system than attempting the assault course that is the crater littered road around this health hazard of a site. Indeed, lessons could be learned from the aforementioned power plant in that covering the place with a large concrete sarcophagus would be easier on the senses (sight and smell) than when entering the toilets here. Tragic.
Andy F, 18 June 2008
I travel around the Uk with work and have had the misfortune to stop at these services on a number of occasions. On the last visit I asked what hot food was available, the member of staff grunted and motioned towards a menu and walked away. After a few minutes a scottish chap asked what I would like, I gave him my order and stood for 5 minutes. Grumpy lady came back and took my order again, and told me they weren't doing brunch that evening Grrrr. being diabetic I asked for anything that was available. When it arrived it wasnt too bad, the staff definately need some customer service training!
Andy, 11 June 2008
Utterly dreadful, the worst I visit, and I cover a lot of ground on my travels. Food choices are pathetic, service is awful, and they NEVER have VAT receipts (the machine is, it seems, broken - perhaps a visit from the HMRC might chivvy them along to fix it?) The buildings are run down, but not in comparison to the car park which makes them look good. Avoid like the plague, or you'll probably catch something nasty.
Phil, 8 June 2008
a terrible disgrace.overgrown grass filthy toilets.
shplatt, 26 May 2008
the service station is advertising a total fefurb. about time they living in 1970s. but i have to say hope they still keeping shop staff on. they nicest friendliest by none.also i staye in travel lodge and receptionist more than help ful so all the moaners on this web site do not no the true help ful staff at bolton west ..
karl stephens, 3 May 2008
well it may be a bit old fashioned and decorated but the staff are great and always help and are very friendly i call in a lot and have stayed the night in the Travelodsge which the rooms are good adn not as old fashioned as the reat of the building in fact no complains there also the food may be pricy but you get alot and it is cooked to order and that is better as you know its fresh i meen i come in at evening so dont know about day time but ten out of ten for customer service and friendliness to all staff at bolton west
Loz, 14 April 2008
visited these services 2 days ago and i must say that the building is in an appaling state nothing works,toilets disgraceful, only 2 of the gamblers were working,not enough deal or no deal machines,ceiling tiles falling down. i have heartful sorrow for the staff who have to workin in this terrible place i didnt know how they gave me such great service nice,hot and fresh food, burger king 5*, the small indian fellow named Jai was excellent in his customer service skills he even suggested to us the triple whopper which i immediatly purchased. overall bad services just a coincidence its near the A666! the managers of this place should burn in hell
sog, 13 April 2008
A total dump as others have observed, but there are signs indicating that it's going to be flattened and rebuilt this year, starting with the northbound side in Sept 08
Steve Bentley, 4 April 2008
On Friday 8.2.08 I travelled to Manchester, stopping at Bolton (First) going south and at Tebay (Westmorland) going north. The contrast between the two was a amazing. Bolton was very rundown, with scruffy carpets and very few customers. The staff seemed subdued. Westmorland was a joy, clean, full of customers and with an excellent farm shop. If only all British services were like Westmorland.
Alan Lammin, 10 February 2008
I VISITED THIS SERVICE ON THE WAY BACK FROM BLACKPOOL ON 2 FEB WHAT A DISGUSTING MESS THERE WAS 2 WOMEN SAT AT A TABLE THEY WERE STAFF, THE PLACE WAS ICEY COLD AND THEY WERE SAT ROUND AN HALOGEN HEATER THE CARPET LOOK LIKE IT WAS FULL OF BLACK TAR THE WALLS HAD STAINS THAT LOOKED LIKE SOME ONE HAD THROWN TEA UP THEM I HAD MY GRANSON WITH ME HE WANTED FEEDING BUT IT WAS TO COLD AND NOT VERY WELCOMING SO WE WENT BACK TO THE CAR LEAVING OUR REFRSHMENTS AS THEY HAD SOON TURNED COLD I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO VISIT THAT SERVICE AGAIN WE WERE GOING TO STAY AT THE TRAVEL LODGE BUT MY WIFE WOULD NOT JUST IN CASE IT NEEDED A GOOD CLEAN LIKE THE SERVICES I AM SORRY IF YOU FEEL THAT I AM A MOUNER BUT WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD ALL DAY WITH A VERY TIRED FAMILY ALL YOU WANT IS SOME WHERE WELCOMING THIS TIME WE DID NOT GET IT. MR M MCGEACHIE 4/2/2008
MARTIN MCGEACHIE, 4 February 2008
What a welcome relief these services proved to be after a particularly stressful journey along the M61 - there really are some maniacs out there (one articulated truck driver even had the audicity to overtake us !!). The services were peacefull and relaxing with hardly anybody about to cause a disturbance. We were especially delighted by the complimentary refreshments provided in the shop and cafe. We helped ourselves to a bacon sandwich and cuppa each (both were a little cold, but what do you expect for free !). I think this is a welcome initiative and its encouraging that you trust your customers so much that you don't feel it necessary to have staff monitoring us (only wish you'd apply this principle to the petrol station, ha, ha !). Overall a pleasant experience and a bold experiment that provides a welcome direction for the MSA of the future. Frankly we didn't want to leave - so we didn't, we relaxed for a few more hours after which we helped ourselves to a plate of cottage pie. Were we being a bit naughty ?
Craig Noble, 19 January 2008
, 18 January 2008
These services gave me manic depression. i was approached by some working girls offering their "services" for 50p... then accosted by a groundskeeper who tried to give me GHB and take me to the toilets, which would have been ok if they werent so minging! DO NOT GO EVER, STAY ON THE M-WAY TILL WELCOME BREAK, MUCH BETTER AND THEY DO EARL GREY AND TOAST FOR £3.50
BOB, 8 January 2008
An absolute disgrace and so depressing not only for the customers to visit, but for the poor staff to work in. I asked if it was about to be closed down for redevelopment as it looked like the 'Marie Celeste'! Trading Standards should be informed and the owners of the site taken to court!!!
Faye Morris, 31 December 2007
Went for a to stay with a friend for the weekend, as I do 3 or 4 times a year! The road in and around the services has needed to be resurfed for some time (at least the last 2 or 3 years) but now the inside is being left to rot!!! Outward bound (south side) on Friday my only comment was the toliets looked like they weren't being maintained but on my return today it was the toliets, and the cafe area that turned my stomach! Compared to other service areas on my route, these are shambles - I wonder what environmental health would think! Clearly in need of modernisation!!!
Kathryn, 2 December 2007
Went for a to stay with a friend for the weekend, as I do 3 or 4 times a year! The road in and around the services has needed to be resurfed for some time (at least the last 2 or 3 years) but now the inside is being left to rot!!! Outward bound (south side) on Friday my only comment was the toliets looked like they weren't being maintained but on my return today it was the toliets, and the cafe area that turned my stomach! Compared to other service areas on my route, these are shambles - I wonder what environmental health would think! Clearly in need of modernisation!!!
Kathryn, 2 December 2007
A party of 45 children which I led descended on the Northbound services. It was like 1970's Poland. The shop (closing time 7 p.m.) put the shutters down and the assistant counted the takings from 6-40 to 7-00 p.m. while the kids watched unable to get in. How's that for indifference? An absolute joke.
David, 29 November 2007
Graham, Im glad your hand dryer was working. I attempted to use three dryers today, and two of them wernt working! The two cubicles i went into were dirty and had no toilet paper. Why do we bother?
CJ, 26 November 2007
The hand drier in the gents was like a blast of air from the north pole. It was so cold that my wedding ring fell off and due to the excessive noise I never heard it hit the floor.
Graham Matthews, 26 November 2007
Absolutely disgusting. The toilets facilities are so bad they make you want to heave. ALL sink taps leak and have little bits of J cloth around them to stop the drips. Cracked dirty and misssing floor and eiling tiles. Smell from the toilets is worse than those at a pop festival. They have been like this for 20 odd years since they were called Anderton Services. Only bonus is that you don't get pestered by Credit Card Girls or Car Park scammers like you do at Knutsford Sandbach and Keele.
disgusted traveller, 25 November 2007
It was as if we had stepped into the 'twilight zone' of a bad horror film. Tables were full of rubbish, floor was covered in rubbish and we couldn't bear to stay there for a break.
Liz, 19 November 2007
Dreadful, depressing, dreary, dirty, hasn't been touched since it was originally built, missing/dirty ceiling tiles, broken shutters, 'staff' casual dress, toys chained down, horible, horrible, horrible.
rob and pete, 16 November 2007
These services are a national disgrace. They are the most dilapidated I have ever visited. The Car Park and pot holed approached roads are a clue to what may be found inside. I was not disappointed, the stench and dankness could not be reproduced without an eye to years of neglect. The amazing part is that they have managed to produce this on both sides of these M61 Services. Whatever your expected personal standards are of Motorway Services, take 90 percent away and you have the M61 Bolton West Services. If you have high expectations, take away the 100 percent and some more.
J Sheldon, 14 October 2007
I travel all over the UK, this HAS to be the worst services in the country.
ian Tulloch, 13 October 2007
Friday 14.09.07. Northbound. Lunchtime. Stopped for a bite to eat & comfort break. Toilets were disgusting, Two were blocked with unflushed contents. The one I found just usable would not flush, the adjoining one had a broken handle. It was terrible. It was embarrassing. You should be ashamed to be in business. A very bad advert for motorway services. Terrible impression for visitors to our country. A health hazard.
T. Danby, 17 September 2007
on visiting your services on sun 29th july at aprox 6pm i called in the retail shop got a sandwich and a drink got to the till and there were no cashier in sight after waiting the que had built up i looked around and the lady came wondering back to the shop in deep conversation on her mobile phone she continue to serve me while still in conversation on her mobile the is a disgrace i only wish i was not so honest as i could have walked out with a lot of your stock and no one would have known.wot a joke
adam , 1 August 2007
We were travelling southbound on the M61 and had to stop for petrol. We were travelling from the car park to the petrol station when we went over a series of potholes. After trying to avoid them we went over an unseen pothole covered by a puddle and as a result our tyre burst! We luckily pulled onto the petrol station car park but then after having a further look and after the AA man removing the tyre we could see the wheel had been completely dinted. Avoid this petrol station at all costs!
Lucy , 16 July 2007
Quite the most unpleasant services i have ever seen in all my years of travelling.The place needs to be pulled down and is a health hazzard. The person who took my money for a coffee was a Scottish guy working with Becky Gray (On the receipt) .His language was foul and by the till he had a plate of half eaten steak pie which he failed to be bothered to move. drive past everyone please !!
Howard Cheetham, 5 July 2007
i used to work at this services. It is indeed being modernised but it isnt the same company first buses, it is infact a totally seperate company.
~Onion~, 31 May 2007
i visited the north bound side of the services resently i thought the building its self could be modernised although a lovely young girl at the java blue cafe called gemma informed me that it was being renovated i am an elderly man with a disablled wife and the lady helped us alot it was nice to see a friendly face but the lady at the retail was very rude and for the generation of us being in the shop she was on her mobile phone and did not like helping very much.
michael addison, 26 May 2007
this service station is amazing in that the smell when you reach the main building, the toilets are a disgrace.i actualy saw rats jumping around outside, at least 2 people were asleep in the main restaurant and then i saw one rather drunken lady vomit all over the table , never again
bryan, 8 April 2007
We had the misfortune to have to visit this service station at 9am on Sunday 11th March 2007. It is evident that the 15mph speed limit is not to reduce accidents but to prevent damage to your car from the appauling state of the roads/car park. I took my 7 yr old daughter to use the ladies, They were disgusting! Toilets missing, or covered with binbags. Seats so dirty that I daren't touch them to put them down. My eldest son who took his brother to the gents tells me they weren't any better. We wiped our feet on the way out!
Rachel Cooper, 12 March 2007
Just had the displeasure of stopping at this service station. Very !! unhelpful, ill mannerd and un hygenic staff!! with filthy floors oh yes take a close look at the corners .. If you dare! or even glance at the celing .. Dont even consider visiting the toilets .. The Car Park is Cleaner !!!! i am shocked and disgusted that the individuals who work (said very loosly) here have so little respect for their own personal standards but yet this is truly reflected by the surroundings. enviornmental health should shut this place immedietley it is a health hazard. Does this service station have Managers ???
disgusted !!, 24 February 2007
After recently stopping at this service station i was shocked at the state of the building. The ceiling is falling down when it rains! The food was lovely and fresh although expensive. We spoke to the pleasant burger king and java cafe staff was informed that they are having a new rebuild. Although not all the staff were friendly. I would avoid the retail at all cost. The so called lady there was on her mobile phone whilst serving me and made it plainly obvious that i was interrupting her!
., 9 February 2007
I travel very extensively and was shocked by the terrible standards of cleanliness and lack of modern facilities at this service area. It is as though the 21st century has not happened at Bolton West. I made the mistake of stopping there once - won't be doing again
David White, 8 February 2007
on visiting your services 7pm i have to say it was not the most glamorous of places but the staff was very helpful and polite when i ask the receptionist for directions she could not do enough for me very nice to see people with nice attitudes towards customer services.
warren mcmahon, 9 December 2006
Showers are absolutely filthy.tiles broken at the shower base, shower rail hanging off and floors not very clean and as you are charging drivers 11GBP per night this is outrageous.
Billy Hunter, 17 November 2006
I visited this service station today and was alarmed at the state of the ladies loo - I was even more alarmed to read on this site that they were in the same state last December! There are still loo's with bin bags on them, loo's missing and tiles chipped off. The sinks were leaking and the place was poorly lit. Needless to say I will not be calling at these services again!
Alison Bradbury, 17 November 2006
Without doubt the worst services we have ever stopped at - shocking. We followed the signs for Burger King from the southbound side of the services and had to cross motorway footbridge with no lighting (scary) then wander round in the dark trying to find the entrance on the northbound side. We felt totally vulnerable with our 1 year old son. Unsafe sinister place We won't be stopping here again
K Scott, 6 November 2006
First Motorway Services are not part of First the transport group, but were a management buyout from Granada in the mid-1990s.
Matthew Kilburn, 6 October 2006
Wish I had read these comments before stopping here last night. Haveing driven from Carlisle in a Transit with a car on the back we needed a break & some food. What a shambles, apathetic staff, no hot food available without a 20 min wait. "we cook food to order at quiet times" - surely the middle of the night is a quiet time - not 7 on a Sunday evening!!. Maybe its always quiet because everyone else knows to avoid the place. There were 9 other people leaving in disgust at the same time as us. Anyone know how to contact the manager to complain?
Les Twigg, 15 May 2006 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 7 PM 14 May 2006)
perhaps if there was an obvious idication that there is a manager or even a director who knows what a manager is things would be better. Maybe an un announced visit or two would project the staff in a light they deserve
john unsworth, 23 April 2006 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 24 December 2005)
Made the unfortunate mistake of visiting this service station for something to eat, wish we hadn't bothered. The food looked like it had been out all day, (some chilli, curry and some rice all hard) this I only bought as my daughter was too hungry to wait, and then couldn't eat it because it wasn't cooked. All of the staff were just sitting down together watching sky news. Buying something from the shop was equally as bad the cashier wouldn't get off the phone to serve me had it welded to her ear the whole time. This service station was like a ghost ship it appears anyone who wants decent service obviously knows to go elsewhere!!
Mrs Lewis, 10 April 2006 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 8 PM 10 April 2006)
I visited the ladies toilets on the Northbound side of Motorway. They are a thorough disgrace. 1. Many had black bin liners over the loo seats and were unusable. I tried 6 loos before there was one that i could actually use. Tiles were broken on the floor. Doors would not shut or lock. Some were even missing the loo. This is a neglected and unsupervised ladies loo that needs urgently to be sorted out and managed properly. I suggest that the management pull their finger out and do an unannounced inspection.
Mrs White, 23 December 2005 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 12 PM 23 December 2005)
I like these services. They are usually quiet and the toilets are clean. An episode of 'That Peter Kay Thing' was filmed here, featuring the trials and tribulation of a services manager.
Malcolm Coghill, 19 September 2005
And, if you've got one, you can upload a picture of Bolton West Services!
