Rate it!
Tell us all about your experiences of this service area.
Please can you tell me how I can contact you to report a collision and request CCTV evidence? I have been trying to get through on the various numbers but it rings out continuously. There is no voice mail, no direction, basically no customer service at all.
Gill, Sat 10 Dec 2016
Do not stop here with a caravan. They allow lazy car and van drivers to park in the specified caravan areas leaving no room for caravans. It is a disgrace and nobody does anything about it.
Chester, Sun 16 Oct 2016
Great service by Steve (Whsmith) on Tuesday. :)
Emma Pullen, Fri 9 Oct 2015
Stay at your days inn hotel and the service from reception is apaulong the lady named Rachel is absoluty rude ... I got told my room number and that's it I said oh ok. Which she gave me a dirty look and it's like I'm a customer you know I came back coz I booked a double room and she gave me a twin she goes for God sake I bet u only gonna be here. Few hours anyway whats It matter ... I demanded to see her manager she Said I don't think it's appropriate I said u muttered abuse to me I am here to see my sick brother and get abuse like this from receptionist and I said I want a refund now she told me no I can't coz I have been arguing ... I want you to send me details asap to get this Rachel sacked and lodge an official complaint she should be in the back with an attitude like this not dealing with the public I am appalled
Karma Rachel hathatwin, Fri 21 Nov 2014
As service stations go this one is easy to access and leave, clean toilets and good picnic area. However, I know you have a captive audience but you are having a laugh with your pricing, for example a normal family bag of "Wothers Originals" in both WH Smith and Waitrose was £2.80 when the same bag elsewhere is £1 !! Your outlets are killing the goose that laid the golden egg with these ridiculous inflated prices.
Maureen Bain, Sun 12 Oct 2014
Welcome Break should be ashamed of their so called 'parking managers' Parking Eye - a company who take full advantage of the monopoly service stations hold on motorway traffic to extort money from any hapless driver who naively follows the advice from the Highway Agency to take a driving break. Their insane justification for this scam is the claim that anyone who parks here for more than a couple of hours some how costs Welcome Break over £100 in loss of a business. In actual fact the only business Welcome Break is losing will be me and my family.
What is really worrying however is not just the way they try to fleece their customers but the potentially dangerous policy they have created by setting time limits on how long drivers can take rest breaks for.
Dan, Tue 26 Aug 2014
I parked my truck in a coach bay. I was unaware it was a coach bay until a member of the service station staff pointed out I was risking a £100 fine for parking there and she told me it was a coach bay. I apologised and moved promptly. Though I am grateful she didn't fine me, I feel the signage isn't clear as the road paint is so worn it is impossible to read. Please improve the signage. I am now aware but other who are not familiar with the service station may fall victim if they are not sat in their vehicle when it is spotted.
Thank you!
Anonymous, Mon 11 Aug 2014
Visited the KFC at these services and can describe in one word HORRIBLE. Food was cold, greasy and fatty. Server was rude and the gravy was solid. I could have used it to render a wall with it. Left the meal and after the attitude of the staff I wasn't going to complain there and then. Horrible experience and will either stop before or go hungry
Donna jones, Tue 5 Aug 2014
visited on a busy monday lunchtime, with coachloads of folk from sonisphere festival and tired race fans from silverstone all heading home. toilets spotless, food was standard BK fayre so average but as we were starving it did the job. only minor gripe was the lack of caravan bays but as I got in i was happy
alan, Thu 10 Jul 2014
I left my camera in ladies toilets north bound on Sunday 22nd June about 1030 am. All holiday photos. Please can anyone checkf the lost property.
Paula bradley, Mon 23 Jun 2014
Stopped here at the Days Inn hotel for a couple of hours for a meeting at the end of May. 3 weeks later I received a parking ticket advising me that I have to pay £100 or less if paid early...?
There were no signs in the hotel car park to advise I had to pay...and the staff didn't say anything either. Reading a previous post..you only get 30mins free parking? Is it me or is this a ridiculous amount of time? Every other service station I have parked at has a minimum of 2 hrs? So... as well as paying for stupidly ridiculous high priced for food and drink and also high priced fuel, they are now trying to catch you out by putting up poor parking signage and have a reduced time of 30 mins free parking.
I'm sorry, buy it is morally wrong.
Pete, Fri 20 Jun 2014
Last night I very cleverly managed to lock my car with the keys in the ignition (I won't close the door again without double checking the keys are in my hand!). I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the members of staff who helped me, in particular the site manager for the evening Steve (KFC Manager) who couldn't have been more helpful. He found the number for me to call the AA (on their phone as mine was in my car), made sure my husband and I were comfortable and provided us with hot drinks and even offered us something to eat. When the AA had not arrived 25 minutes after the promised time he rang them again on my behalf and brought us another hot drink each while he waited outside for their imminent arrival. After doing some site checks he came back to make sure that the AA had been able to help and get me back on my way home (a 12-hour drive in total as the traffic had been horrendous!). I was made to feel like I was a very important person by all the staff - I even felt rather a lot less stupid about what I'd done because of their kind attention and genuine concern. Wonderful people.
With regard to all the comments about cleanliness, I can only say that things have certainly changed because the washroom facilities were spotless, as were all the shops and food outlets. Obviously another job well done by the site managers and all just in a day's work.
Anne Stephenson, Sat 14 Jun 2014
As a truck driver, I'm asked to pay for overnight parking. For that fee I did not expect to be parking, in what can only be described as a cesspool! Water a foot deep, stincking to high heaven, contaminated with God knows what! Welcome Break!from a legislation point of view, a must. By choice not on your life. Never shall my axles set foot here again!
Derek G, Sat 15 Feb 2014
iinadvertently overstayed my visit at charnock richard svcs on the night of 27/28th november 2013.i was feeling unwell but had to complete my journey to scotland for a family event;my partner went into the facilities & obtained some breakfast for us whilst i had a sleep,on return i ate my breakfast & coffee then proceeded ontoday i have had a letter from your parking company which states we stopped for more than the permitted free time 30mins precisely,we have a charge of £100.00 or £60.00 if paid quickly.i could not argue about this as i was completely unaware of the time taken,so i decided to pay the reduced £60.00 with my debit card then i was charged .70p for transaction charge this is completely illegal & apart from the outrageous charge is unacceptable.i will be taking this further & will never stop at a welcome break station on my regular journeys again
john j campbell, Sun 8 Dec 2013
on a vist to your services on 25/sep/13 my grandaughter left her phone if found could you please let us know
irene tideswell, Wed 25 Sep 2013
I just wanted to write to explain the detail of the excellent service we received from one of Charnock Richard employees His name was DANIEL SAGE and I believe he was Retail Manager at Charnock Richard services
My daughter aged 17 was travelling north and stopped to breakfast at the services on Saturday 13 JulyInadvertently she left her purse containing all her cards and a significant amount of cash in the ladies toilet cubicle She rang us in an understandable panic , she had no means of getting back to the services, as she was travelling with a party of people to a tight time schedule We rang the services and were fortunate enough to speak with DanielHe could not have been more professional and nicer , he explained that the purse had been found (still intact) and that he personally would oversee its care until our daughter could travel back ( a week later ) to pick it up from the southbound side He assured us that it would be secure in the attached hotel safeWe rang to give him a precise time for her return and the purse was duly delivered In all, the service and devotion to duty was superb and is rare to find these days
I can not thank Daniel enough and commend him for his EXCELLENT service and superb customer interactionWelcome Break have a gem in their midst
Rgds Martyn Hanks
martyn hanks, Sun 28 Jul 2013
visited to-day, very busy. Went upstairs(escalator not working) both Burger King and KFC were pandemonium, decided to go to restaurant downstairs, I ordered "bangers and mash", my wife ordered fish and chips, the assistant told my wife they were waiting for fish to cook and would bring our meals over to us. While we were waiting I was generally looking around and read the receipt for our meals which was on the tray, but not taking a lot of notice. Our meals arrived quite quickly and we started to eat. After taking 2 or three mouthfuls I realised that there had been two sausages on my plate, where I thought the receipt had said three sausages. I looked at the tray which was still on the table for the receipt but it had disappeared, it wasn't on the table or anywhere round about the area we were sitting so I presume the assistant took the receipt while actually serving our meals. Was this deliberate? I don't know. I read the menu on the way out and it does state 3 sausages. Although it may seem a bit trivial it is the principal involved. I also realise that this could be a complete oversight on the counterstaff.
David Purves, Sat 1 Jun 2013
Cutlery this morning was disgusting , filthy! Toilets clean and refurbished since last visit.
Anonymous, Sun 26 May 2013
Stopped for a quick break
It was about 7.15pm so the major rush hour traffic had been and gone, have to say the toilets were clean and fresh and the communal areas were clean & tidy
Had a cup of tea which was very good and a big thanks to the male cleaner whom supplied fresh drinking water for my dog.
Gary Farrimond, Sun 26 May 2013
best thing to do is get off at j 25turn left and go to the mount - big pub/travel lodge 2 mins away or turn right into pemberton 3 mins away loads of takeaways including kfc, pie shops pubs and cafe or 2
lidlilidli, Wed 27 Feb 2013
The baby change facilities here are an absolute joke. It's a tiny room with nowhere to put a bag. Every time my son moved he set off the hand drier which scared him. The nappy bin was overflowing. Certainly the worst baby change facilities I have ever used!
Andi, Sat 23 Feb 2013
Called at southbound at around 15-30 this afternoon and as my wife walked into main building to use the facilities she tripped over a floor mat left in the doorway and fell to the ground. Fortunately she was not hurt just a little shaken up but when we arrived home 30 mins later she found she was missing one of her earrings (small gold hoop style) if any cleaning staff or member of the public finds and hands it in please contact me by e-mail robertbaker6@sky.com They are not of huge value but would like to find it.
Thanks
Bob Baker, Mon 18 Feb 2013
A. Alexander. The orange hair really ruined your day, didn't it?
Anonymous, Sun 27 Jan 2013
David templet on if you go around the round about you are back on the services and it isn't a secret exit and the automatic bollards haven't worked for years. And to the other comment no the management aren't blind they just want they want to see
Private, Sat 26 Jan 2013
Just before Christmas I had the misfortune to stop at Charnock Richard Services on my way from my home in Kendal to visit friends in Liverpool.I first went to use the facilities, which were dirty and smelly and the cleaning clock had run out. When I went to wash my hands, there was no hot water. I think this was mainly due to the taps that were constantly running. Stupidly I decided it might be an idea to get something to eat while I was there. I asked a member of staff wearing a Starbucks uniform, who I can only politely describe has having rather large orange hair, unfortunately he seemed far more interested in the soft toy grabbing machine he was playing on. However he did direct me over the bridge to the “Restaurantâ€ÂI headed upstairs and although the eating area between KFC & Burger King was fairly quiet, it was filthy. There was food on the floor a dozen or so un cleared tables and the window ledges had a disgusting brown stain on them.I found the “restaurant†but there were only 2 members of staff visible who were battling a large q.The food looked as though it had been there for hours and there were fly’s crawling all over the cakes which were not covered up. “Restaurantâ€Â? looks more like a café, and a bad one at that. I’ve seen greasy spoon vans and truckers cafes I rather eat in.I didn’t have the time to wait so headed to WHSmiths (which was freezing, the poor staff were all bundled up like they were heading into the arctic) for a coffee and a paper. Unfortunately the Coffee Machine was out of order but the staff apologised and advised me where else I might get a coffee. I got my paper (nearly tripping over the bucket that was catching water dripping from the large hole in the ceiling) in the process. At the check out the friendly young lady behind the till tried to sell me a bar of chocolate. Although not exclusive to service stations this is a practice a find extremely irritating, especially as a chocolate loving recently diagnosed diabetic, (all I wanted was a paper. Had I wanted chocolate (or anything else for that matter) I would have brought it to the till myself).I eventually managed to get an overpriced coffee in the other WHSmiths (back where I started).How the place can be called a “Service Station†I’ll never know, as service and services are the last things they provide.All in all it was dreadful experience. Charnock Richard Services are a DISGRACE! To allow the things I have described to go on, the management are clearly blind, incompetent or just simply don’t care!I will not be returning!
A Alexander, Sat 12 Jan 2013
I have a bit of a horror story about Charnock Richard services.
This place has a "rear access" road (also known as a "secret exit") that is supposed to be inaccessible to anyone who doesn't either work at the service station or for emergency services. On my way out of the service station there was completely inadequate signage and I ended up accidentally driving down this rear access road rather than using the actual exit back on to the motorway.
It drops you out on to a road in the middle of nowhere and you can't actually get back into the service station because there are automatic bollards preventing access (at least I wasn't going to chance it). It took me about 30 minutes of driving around the countryside before I finally made it back on to the M6 again (there's a junction several miles away that you can get to after driving along some rural roads).
Obviously you can blame me for driving down it, but it should be better signposted to make it abundantly clear that it's not the correct exit. At the time it was dark, raining and the "exit sign" (painted faintly on the ground) pointed in the same direction as the rear access road. The car in front of me went straight down it and I naively followed due to the complete lack of any signs indicating that it wasn't the correct exit. There is a random sign about the automatic bollards preventing access at certain times but I had absolutely no idea what that referred to and just assumed the service station was closed at certain periods. I didn't even realise there was such a thing as a "rear access road" until this incident.
This is potentially quite a serious issue. It really shouldn't be possible to accidentally drive down this road and it has to be stated clearly and unambiguously on a sign that you're not actually rejoining the motorway. It's a common theme with service stations - they assume everyone knows where they're going even when the very nature of a service station would imply that most people don't.
David Templeton, Thu 3 Jan 2013
All that are complaining - it is not not to the staff members. Dog's Bodies, that do as they are told take abuse off customers day in and day out oer the state of the MSA, cleanliness of it, prices - they just work there, and do what they are paid to do, don't you think they cleanliness of the site is down to it being so quiet so not as many sales + same number af wages being paid out = Contracts being ended and working with bar minimum staff. i suggest if you have a complaint regarding Charnock services you write to the head office about the fact that the place is dirty because they will not provide enough staff to clean an entire building, car park, toilets, showers, bridge, and 2 garages ? It is just a thought.
Anomymous, Thu 13 Dec 2012
Well said previous comment. Nobody knows. It is not Down to staff members. It's they're just dogs body's. that have to do as they say or they will get pushed out
Anonymous, Thu 13 Dec 2012
I'm a regular customer at Charnock Richard. I must take the chance to vent my frustration, at the rapid slide in standards on this site.It's a complete cesspit! Especially when the sun comes up, my god! What is the manager of this place doing!
I would go on but my breakfast is going cold! Oh! sorry it already is!
Goodbye Charnock Richard, hello Lancaster! (Moto).
John, Thu 29 Nov 2012
Stopped here 10/10/12 to take a break on a run from Glasgow to Birmingham.
Haven't stopped at this MSA for a good while but overall it wasn't bad, toilet could have been better but were passable and everything else was good, food and friendly staff.
Gary Farrimond, Fri 19 Oct 2012
Thank you to the member of staff who looked after me when I stumbled and fell on my way to the entrance on Thursday 13th September. She helped me to clean up and produced ice to help reduce swelling. Although bruised with small cut I am nearly recovered which I am sure was much due to the ministrations. The tea and rest enabled me to continue on my journey. After my visit I am now back home!
Mrs. Celia Sykes, Thu 20 Sep 2012
What a dump! Drive on by...
A traveller, Sun 9 Sep 2012
Stopped on southbound side of Charnock Richard yesterday 19th August. I am disabled and was very lucky to find a disabled parking bay. On entering into the building I couln't believe how dirty it looked and whats this, we have to go upstairs to get something to eat. Fortunately there was an escalator, so up we went only to find that there was a choice of Burger King or Kentucky (Ugh)!!! We went across the bridge as on the northbound side there is a restaurant. The only way down was by four flights of stairs (this impossible for me to do). When asking one of the staff did they have a lift the answer was negative but there was an escalator up! Who on earth designed this place. We then went back and went into Starbucks. What a hell hole, the tea was undrinkable as was the coffee and the egg sandwich I had was tasteless. All in all a very disappointing stop and needless to say we wont be stopping there again, its a RIP OFF.
Lynne, Mon 20 Aug 2012
Some of the ground level facilities, including toilets, are currently being refurbished so it isn't really fair to criticise that aspect. But the KFC/BK seating area on the bridge isn't undergoing any work, which is a pity as it desperately needs it.
Mark, Mon 30 Jul 2012
On 19th. July 2012 I managed to jam my hand in the tailgate of our car. First Aider responded quickly and efficiently. Her treatment ensured that the damage to my fingers was contained and did not come as unpleasant as it might have done. Many thanks for prompt, efficient and friendly assistance.
Charlotte, Thu 26 Jul 2012
We stopped for a business meeting/lunch recently at Charnock Richard, it could be classed as local and/or convenient. I spent over £40 on over-priced and over-rated food and drink in the rank restaurant.
My business was informed by a third party parking enforcement company that a vehicle registered to us had outstayed a 2 hour time limit by 15 minutes. The company, ParkingEye is one of several who think it is acceptable to scare people into paying fines which are not lawful or enforceable.
Let me tell anyone right now, that in order for a company to say that you have breached a civil agreement with them, they cannot just provide you with the registration plate, and the details of who it is registered to. You cannot enter into a civil contract with a hunk of metal on four wheel, as it doesn't have a brain.
They must provide details of the driver. Which they didn't. So my advice is quite clear. Don't respond in any way, if they don't provided the identity of who broke their perceived contract. I have four ongoing issues with companies of this type, including a wholly unlawful one for my Sister, a single Mum stuggling to pay insurance, road tax and to fuel her vehicle.
It is also interesting to note that John Whitaker, Director of Parking Eye, is also a Board member of the Abbeyfield Society, a Society that assists in housing support and care for people in the 'later stages of life', exactly the type of weak people they target to scare into paying these unlawful fines.
I pass Charnock Richard on a daily basis, as do most of my colleagues. I think since the date of the letter, they have probably lost somewhere in the region of £2,000 worth of business. So my congratulations to them for their greed and dishonesty to the customers.
Christopher Anonymous, Fri 13 Jul 2012
Toilets being refurbished but temporary toilet block outside is disgusting as there was no water supply at all :-( the employee inside said an engineer had been called 30 mins before but how long does it take to get there surely it counts as an emergency call out !!!!!! Very very disappointed
Alistair, Thu 12 Jul 2012
I stopped here recently. I didn't intend to stay but my vehicle broke down so I had to stay longer than I would have liked. It was grotty, miserable, dirty, the toilets unclean, the staff unhelpful, the cash machine was broken - carried out my transaction and then didn't give me the money. I reported to the staff that it was broken and also that I needed money as I had broken down. They were not at all forthcoming and didn't even bother to put a sign on the machine. They also didn't mention, as I was broken down, the 2 hour stay limit. I couldn't have paid their ridiculous carparking fees anyway as I had no cash but I never even saw the signs anyway saying that there was a 2 hour limit. So I got a £120 fine off them today! (I stayed for 3hours instead of 2) Having already bought food for the family, £55 on fuel, jump leads and an expensive call to the cash machine people (because of course, Charnock Richard staff aren't able to actually deal with anything) I feel that they have already robbed me enough - not to mention the souls they steal from us just by us being there!It's a wretched place and although I will travel up and down the M6 frequently, I will not stop there again.
Nansy, Fri 18 May 2012
Disgusting The staffin the cafe need to be trained they hacve disguisting havcits scratching the face nose and hair before serving food not ewearing gloves its didsgusting I couldn't believe my eyes
Anonymous, Thu 29 Mar 2012
I called in to refuel on Wednesday 23rd November even tho the pfuel prices are absolutely extortionate. The pump was absolutely filthy and when I went pay I told the woman on the counter (about 2.30pm) I was told "I only work here and they don't take any notice " Marvellous isn't it? I told her I didn't work there either but I was a customer! She told me to use the gloves provided! Bit late! One shouldn't have to use the gloves if the pumps are clean. You don't find out they are covered in diesel until you picked up the filler tap, do you? Told her I wouldn't be calling again (she couldn't have cared less) and that at £1.47 a litre the pumps ought to be clean. What a bloody disgrace! Who's in charge there? Whoever it is is obviously not doing a good job as the staff have got serious attitude problems and need their backsides kicking. I travel 5 days a week on the motorways and this stop is one of the worst - broken up tarmac, disinterested staff and generally dirty and scruffy and a couldn't care less "atmosphere". Won't be calling again.
David Cornwallis, Fri 25 Nov 2011
I was driving home with my family on oct 15th 2011, we were all tired and hungry so we stopped at Welcome break and got a KFC, arriving home an hour later I realsied I had left my handbag (containg my purse, camera and passport) somewhere in the service station, so I called and was told nothing had been handed in. On the monday (17th) I was called and told a handbag had been found so as we live really close we went to take a look, unfortunatley it wasnt mine. Today, when I had given up all hope of getting my bag back I recieved a call, then drove out there and they had my bag, contents all intact. I am still completely amazed that I got it back. I would like to thank whoever handed it in as well as all the staff (Holly & Joanne) for making sure it got back to me. Thanks to everyone
angela, Wed 26 Oct 2011
I would like to thank all the staff at these services for finding the handbag I lost on oct 15th 2011 after stopping at the northbound services. Everything I owed was in my bag including my passport but thanks to the staff I got it back today, contents all intact. So thankyou to whoever found it and handed it in. I had given up hope of ever seeing it again so today my faith in mankind has been restored. All my thanks.
Angela parkington, Wed 26 Oct 2011
I stopped at the northbound services for a break and went to the male toilets. The smell was extreamly bad. I could smell it before i even went into the toliets. There was no soap at any of the sinks either all the dispensers were empty. On A positive note i went up stairs to KFC and the young girl and young man there were very nice. and the food was great .
coupland, Fri 14 Oct 2011
We too would like to add our praise to the brilliant staff at the Northbound Shell fuel station. My wife has an unfortunate allergy to fuel fumes,(a bad one) she simply cannot come into contact with fuel, so as it would be impossible to carry on a normal working life without some driving and believe me when I say that too many garages out there are unwilling to put your fuel in for you regardless of the situation, they are almost universally "sorry but we're understaffed today" so to avoid arkward situations, we always make sure that her car is fuelled up for her....well almost always.I completely misjudged a journey and she ended up limping homeward at 45 miles an hour but simply wasn't going to get there and to make matters worse I had used her card and not put it back in her purse. (what!)So worse case scenario she ends up stranded at the side of the motorway, or at best she is stranded at Charnock Richard services and I have a long drive with the cash for fuel.I decided to take a flier and ring the forecourt, Rob (forecourt manager) answered the phone, I explained the situation and he said no problem, what is your wife driving? tell her to drive onto the forecourt, park by a pump, I will greet her and fill her car up with fuel. He explained that it was obviously against company policy to take payment over the phone but that needs must and the well being of my wife was paramount, so on this occasion he would bend them.I told him that I would call my wife and tell her, then ring him back with the card details...Phew!what a relief!The icing on the cake was that when I rang back somebody else answered the phone and when I asked for Rob she told me that his shift didn't begin for an hour and was genuinely suprised when I told her that I had already spoken to him, turns out that he had gone in early to get some work out of the way before his shift started, but when he picked up the phone he totally owned the problem.I know I'm going on a bit here, but I think that this kind of service is very rare and if I'm honest I thought it was a thing of the past, I am also quick to moan about the lack of service at other service stations, so the least I can do is give this man a mention and credit where credit is due.Service like this breeds loyalty and I will certainly now go out of my way to use Shell forecourts.Many thanks, Mary and Dave Conway.
David Conway, Wed 13 Jul 2011
A great place for me as a driver to stop. Toilets and showers are clean (maybe you could rent towels)? Food was good or at least better than most services I use.Staff are really helpful.....I would rate this as a safe place to park over night.
Well done you get better every time I visit.
philtodd1@hotmail.com, Wed 15 Jun 2011
I would just like to praise the wonderful staff at Chrnock Richard. Unfortunately my husband suffered an epileptic fit whilst we had stopped for some lunch. We had our two daughters and their friend with us who were obviously very upset as he hadnt had a seizure in 29 yrs.One lady member of staff whose name i didn't know was fantastic staying with us until the ambulance arrived , as were a doctor who was on the next table and a lovely scottish lady. The lad from Starbucks called Andy looked after the girls as well as looking for the ambulance. Please pass on our thanks to the staff involved. Andy(my husband) was sent to hospital and sent out after a couple of hours and we continued our journey to Blackpool to see his brother and family.So thankyou so much, an awful experience was helped thanks to some lovely people. Emma,Andy,Lauren and Megan Bird.xx
emma bird, Sat 23 Apr 2011
What a difference!!!
A lovely new Starbucks offering great standards and good service.We will be regulars now...clean toilets and nice people.what a change since we last stopped in 2009.
Well done charnock richard keep it up.
Elizabeth and family, Mon 29 Nov 2010
I went to charnock today, service in Starbucks was great, friendly and speedy. Toilets are clean and had paper which is a bonus at services! My kids loved their lunch - certainly kept them quiet the rest of the journey. I'll stop there on my way back, I know what I'm getting. Good service and great food.
Rachel Bainton, Sat 6 Nov 2010
I'm a lorry driver so I spend a lot of time in motorway service stations. On October 22 I stopped at charnock Richard for the night, I found the toilets to be clean, the shower wasn't bad but could do with some bleach on the shower head and drain, I had KFC for tea which was to normal KFC standards. The next morning the toilets and shower were to the same standard as previous night, I went over the bridge to the eat in restaraunt and was shocked it was like when you have a party and go down the next morning to see the mess, this was 3.30am but I had to get moving so needed some breakfast, that's why I stopped at a 24hr services, the food from the night before was still out looking vile, soup containers with the lids left off and dried up bread rolls still out and probably for sale, I decided to have cereal as it was in sealed packets, there were manky looking muffins on the counter,I was given coffee in a paper cup to drink it in the restaurant, bins hadn't been emptied and there were flies around them and the milk and sugar not at all hygenic, tables hadn't been cleared, so it obviously hadn't been cleaned and prepared for breakfast, I know it was very early in the morning but as I said it is a 24hr services and I don't think they were exactly run off their feet in the middle of the night. I would stop there again but opt out of breakfast, I had already paid for it with my parking the night before.
Lady Lorry Driver, Sat 23 Oct 2010
Quite the worst experience I have ever had in a motorway sevice station. As a group of four we ordered toasted sandwiches drinks and a side order of fries. Three of the sandwiches were delivered to the table but not the fourth or the fries. Some time later a male member of staff tuned up with two sandwiches one of which he served to annother table and one to me. I pointed out that it was not what I ordered and received the reply that "it must be because that was all that he had".I took the sandwich back to the counter and heard the guy say "watch out these customers do not know what they have ordered". I produced my receipt and pointed out that what I had been charged for was not what had been served and received the reply "so".It was only with great reluctance that the staff agreed to cook me the correct sandwich which turned up 15 minutes later. By this time the fries had still not arrived, my collegue pointed this out to the staff and was asked to return to his seat. Several other diners who had arrived after us were served with fries but not our party.Having finished the other food we decided to leave and ask for a refund on the cost of the fries when we noticed a young girl wandering aimlessly around the dining area with a bowl of fries. When we approached her she said that she had one portion too many and was returning it to the kitchen. This was 30 minutes after we placed the order.When we returned to the counter to ask for an explanation it was deserted.Needless to say, we will not return again
Kelvin George, Wed 20 Oct 2010
We went into the south bound area for a coffee break on a Saturday morning (2 Oct 2010). The gents toilets went dirty and smelly, not very pleasant. Good to see a Starbucks but they were playing some kind of Spanish music very loudly which was unpleasant. Staff were OK but a lot of the tables had not been cleared.
Overall not a good experience, will avoid in future.
John, Sun 10 Oct 2010
Great......stabucks staff are lovely.KFC is the best ever.
SAMMY MURRELL, Thu 19 Aug 2010
What a change since I last visited.....Its fab and they have starbucks which is awsome..well done charnock richards.
Maureen Robinson, Mon 9 Aug 2010
Phone number on site is of hotel. Lady on reception very pleasant. Was trying to get through to manager to praise a member of staff, Charlotte Hallam, who was amazingly helpful when my daughter left her mobile in the toilets. Please give this girl a raise, she deserves it.
Pam Hibbs, Mon 2 Aug 2010
Stopped there today....Food was great, service was great...the prices here are cheaper than most of the service I stop at.....Cheers and well done
Phil, Tue 15 Jun 2010
4 of us had the mis-fortune to call in for breakfast on bank holiday Sat 29 May. Not enough staff, queued for nearly an hour, very hot, tables not cleared, ran out of cups, need I go on..................... But the food was fantastic when we eventually got it.
Jill Jackson, Sun 6 Jun 2010
We stpoed on Northbound on our way to Scotland. We had breakfast in EatIn it was busy but the food and service was great i am suprised at the earlier comments. I will be stoping here again
J Stutgard, Sat 8 May 2010
We stopped here on the 24th April 2010 and the ladies toilets were disgusting. There was not one toilet that didn't have either toilet paper or disgusting things on the floor in them.Also the food at Eat In looked as though it had been there for some time and dried up. Will avoid these services next time.
M. Molyneux, Sun 25 Apr 2010
I ARRIVED AT THE NORTHBOUND EAT IN WHICH I MUST SAY HAS CHANGED SINCE I WAS LAST THERE A FEW YEARS AGO ME AND MY WIFE HAD FISH CHIPS ANDMUSHY PEAS THE FISH WAS THE BEST EVER AND THE TO LADIES ON WAS VERY POLITE AND HELPFUL THANK YOU FOR THE WELCOME
tommy and ruth, Fri 23 Apr 2010
Hi, we'd like to report a safety problem caused by the Charnock Richard Southbound services on the M6.
Last week we called in at these services, towing our caravan. As we left the slip road we realised the signage was really poor. There appeared to be no obvious signs for which way to go for caravans and we were forced to slow down to a point where we must have posed a hazard to following vehicles.
We were then totally confused as to where to park up and ended up just driving out of the services and on to the next M6 Southbound services.
The Charnock Richard services seem to be much better on the M6 Northbound but we feel the Southbound side is unacceptable. Can we please request something is done to improve this situation? The solution would be just to put up some really large, clear signes as to where to go upon leaving the M6. Many thanks.
Steve & Helen Jump, Wed 21 Apr 2010
Where, if there are any can I find out about job vacancies at the Charnock Richard Services M6?
Becca, Mon 5 Apr 2010
Arrived travelling North, went to toilets, "stench of urine", not been checked for a while, as displayed by the sign saying, inspection overdue!Went to Eat In to be greeted with a queue, the length of the Great Wall of China.Went to KFC, same there! Thought this was a "fast food" setup...Complained, asked to see duty manager but no avail...Back down stairs, went in WHS,low and behold a unit that can get it right.Thank You! WHS
J Brighton, Mon 29 Mar 2010
What is all the complaining about I have been on the site and it is good. Food is good and so was service.
Fred Miars, Mon 15 Feb 2010
I would like to say I was absolutely disgusted at the way this motorway service area is run.I purchased a meal from Eat In, and it was cold and practically inedible, it was very greasy and as it was cold it was congealed on the plate.When I took it back, I was informed that I must have had the meal for some time and let it go cold. As my receipt was time stamped to show I had only paid for it 3 minutes previously I said how could I have left it to go cold.I asked to see the Manager (Sarah Clamp) to be told she was NOT on site, and that there was no-one else in management available to answer my query.I am an executive with the Health and Safety Executive, and was quite taken aback by the lack of concern for a customer.I have now written to the head office of this company, but to date have not even had the courtesy of an acknowledgement.Needless to say I will not be returning to this service area, and neither will any of my colleagues....but then, it appears that it wont bother them if we never go back, because the feeling is if we don't go, there are always others who do.I have informed "Watchdog" about this and I believe that the BBC are going to be doing an expose on this very badly run site.
David Carden, Mon 1 Feb 2010
I was horrified to find that there were NO clean knives with which to eat my food. I therefore left it as I was not convinced that the food would be safe to eat.
Liz Tanner, Mon 4 Jan 2010
On the way from Devon to Carnforth, delayed over four hours by bad weather on 23rd December, we stopped here to eat, and my kids chose a KFC boneless meal, reasonably priced at about £18 for five of us. We all shared the various bits and pieces of the meal, and as part of this, my youngest son & I shared a chicken popcorn. Within a few hours we were both violently sick - everyone else was fine. Needless to say, we will NOT be returning...
Chris Spark, Fri 1 Jan 2010
Phone no. is wrong. Should be 01257 791494. No on site is Hotel. Still, you only get a ringing phone - so useless! Why can't you ring the payphones back?
N Dumelow, Mon 14 Dec 2009
It's a couple of years since I visited this disgusting dump going South. I have been tempted to stop again if only to see if it has improved. From reading the latest comments, I don't think I'll bother. I was right last time. Demolish the dump with the management underneath.
Eric Gillett, Sat 12 Dec 2009
Very pleasant, Called in on our way back home to Scotland, Kids were tired and restless and i was the same. went to eat In and the staff were great. Really perked us up for the rest of our journey. Nothing was to much trouble and they even made conversation with us and the children Fantastic
Mr Miles, Wed 25 Nov 2009
The food (like most service stations in the UK) is a disgrace. Very poor quality and overpriced. Is that actually food in the Eat It restaurant? Not a fresh ingredient in sight. We bought an Innocent smoothie and an apple and held out for a late lunch at Tebay.
Ivar Rush, Mon 26 Oct 2009
Just stopped off North Bound went to EatIn fantastic value for money. I had a regular coffee and a huge choc chip muffin for £2.99 and my wife had a Toasted Tea cake and Tea for £2.99 great, Clean and tidy very friendly staff.
Jones, Thu 15 Oct 2009
I recently stopped on the North Side with my family and we went in to the Nort Eat In. Oh my god what a difference from 6 months ago!!!! They obviously have a new manager it is so different. Its clean & tidy, they have a variety of products and most of all the staff were friendly and welcoming. Despite what people say service stations do cost that little extra but i actually had a very pleasant trip with my family. Well done and keep up the fantastic service
Anonymous, Sat 10 Oct 2009
Got National express night bus, which stops here on the overnight journey...Very overpriced food, only a WHS which charges typical overprices service Station prices and a Security Guard that follows your every move when your just looking.Poor service and actually surprised it's open due to sky high prices.
Scott McCutcheon, Sun 6 Sep 2009
i cant bvelive that eat ibn wouldnt give u hot water, they always provide hot water for anyone so i doubt that very much.
also newwwwww ...
Staff are not allowed to look like staff on there breaks as it looks bad to customers
WTF !
So we have to wear a jacket and " disguise" ourselves!
how funny
secretttt, Thu 3 Sep 2009
we was on our bway back to stoke on trent from blackpool and 8week nephew was getting hungery and need a bottle as we was not very well and had a bad chest infectionand my sister in law went in to your cafe and asked if she could have a bottle of hot water to make the babys milk and was told she could not have hot water so baby had to have a cold drink we use the services a lot of times as we go to blackpool a few times a year .as what happend on sunday we will not be useing it ant more i undersatnd h/s as beeing a chef iam trained
andrew lewis, Mon 24 Aug 2009
After an overnight stay at the Welcome Lodge our car broke down and my German mobile phone failed to call AA-Service.We were very, very lucky to meet the duty manager of the service site. He gave us every help he could, even his mobile phone without any charge.I am sorry I forgot his name but he will probably remember us. So thanksagain very much for your kindnessand help.Regards,Dieter BeckerGermany
Dieter H. Becker, Tue 18 Aug 2009
Myself and my partner stopped of for a breakfast on the way to the Lakes, wrong move! I had a full English, the bacon was dried up, the egg was overcooked and the sausages were rock-hard. When I took my plate over to who I can only guess was the manageress, I tapped a sausage on the side of the plate and said "I think these are a bit overdone." she said nothing, just took my plate and walked off. When she returned she handed me my plate and said, "Try these." turned and walked off! No apology, no eye contact or smile, nothing. Awful, service and no customer service skills at all.
Mac of the North, Thu 9 Jul 2009
My chosen lunch was bangers and mash - I think the most awful I have ever sampled - the cheapest of dried up sausage and near liquid "mash". It was disgusting. My wife's pizza was over thick and tasteless. To add insult to injury, the tannoy suggested we try their "world famous" bangers and mash.World infamous would be more appropriate. Need I say more?David Bullen
David Bullen, Fri 26 Jun 2009
Stopped here last Sunday for diesel, wish we could have gone a bit further, 111.9p per litre, the BP services before Carlisle was only 101.9p and the Shell on the other side was 100.9p, daylight robbery. Didn't go for coffee because we stopped on the North services the week before and the smallest cups were so big we couldn't drink it all and it cost £2.50 per cup. Never again.
Pat, Thu 18 Jun 2009
My wife had a fall while at Charnock and the staff were great. They look after her until the ambulance arrived and were very helpful. Thank you
Terry, Fri 5 Jun 2009
I visited Charnock last week ago and the service and food was good. The staff were friendly and the facilities were clean.
Mary, Fri 5 Jun 2009
I visited the site last week and it was great!
LC, Fri 5 Jun 2009
I made a mental note last July, on the way to the Scottish Highlands, never to stop at Charnock Richard again after a godawful breakfast and incredibly slow service. On my return to the Highlands this July I shall enjoy driving straight past !
nikangie, Tue 2 Jun 2009
Had the tastiest breakfast bap ever at 12 30 am consisting of 2 x sausage 2 x bacon and an egg at EAT IN!However today (20 hours after) i am very unwell...Im not blaming it on the bap i dont think
Pipdawg, Thu 30 Apr 2009
i work at the services, oh the joy and yes the food is horribkle especially the breakfast when they have been sat there for hours but we can only work with what we have been given the higher up managers do not give a flying F*** because at the end of the day they are making the money that they want, the reason that you say the toilets are a mess and you have to wait 30mins to get some food at KFC is because we don't have any staff and they won't take anymore on because they say they can't afford it, so thats why it takes so long, it is not down to the staff being slow it is, n not EAT IN 's fault if there is no one on the counter when you get there, there is 1001 jobs that needs doin in the front and back of all units and not enough staff.
another insider, Thu 30 Apr 2009
Stopped here for dinner and waited at least 30mins for KFC only to find that they had run out of certain items. I was slightly disappointed as I usually enjoy stopping here.
Callum, Tue 28 Apr 2009
Rats, thats all i need to say, currently sat in the lorry park watching a large brown rat happily chomping on what looks to be seeds, its broad daylight so who knows how close to the building these pesky critters get at night.
David, Wed 18 Mar 2009
Barriers On Barriers Off, 20 grand spent on a great white elephant. Oh and the green recycling push seems to be at an end.....
The Insider, Sun 11 Jan 2009
Coachdriver cards are going byebye from the 1st of Feb.
Back to a manual system, oh what fun that will be when it's busy. And will we get told how to recognise the thousands of different types of ID coachdrivers can carry? Nope.
Oh well, at least it wont freeze the tills.
The insider in training, Sat 20 Dec 2008
Charnock services, excellent for toddlers, no faults, superb.
Andrew Hall, Fri 29 Aug 2008
I stopped here going south fora bite to eat. There was no queue and nobody serving.I eventually got an Original Breakfast. This was just slopped onto the plate with no thought to presentation at all.I pointed this out to the manageress who was indifferent at best.She did eentually offer to change the meal but i declined as it was obvious the message had not got through to her and i was wasteing my time.Anyway i sat down with my meal and started to eat. The moshrooms were cold and the rest of the meal was lukewarm at best. The sausages looked as if they had been in the hot ( warm ) service tray for hours.I am have been served better food in a truckers transport cafe.These people are just Jobsworths and have no pride in what they do.
Angus Fraser
Angus Fraser, Mon 2 Jun 2008
Yes! Yes! Yes!Barriers back on, on the northbound.Oh the fun we will have...
The Insider, Mon 28 Apr 2008
why o why have they decided to close off access to the motorway again?! I live in charnock and have to travel to and from preston twice a day. I now have to add an extra 20min to my journey each time to get to next motorway junction, what a pain in the arse, and i wouldn't mind but i spend a fortune in petrol at the services surely there losing out on more custom by closing it off!
emma, Wed 2 Apr 2008
pulled on to services with caravan to discover caravan parking completely full with cars, even though the signs say caravans only, went to complain, but was told there was a parking attendant,but was know where to be found. What happened to the sign saying £80 fine for parking cars in caravan spaces? Are the general public blind or just selfish morrons. I wouldnt mind but there were plenty of spaces for cars in the appropriate places and right outside the door for the services.If you are going to advertise caravan spaces, then please, Charnock Richards, make sure they are available and not taken by morrons driving cars
P. Baughan, Mon 11 Feb 2008
It's now confirmed, service areas are not only bad for your pocket, but also if the following research is correct, also bad for your health, especially if you work there....read on
http://www.newscientist.com/ar...
So next time Jane charges you £1.39 for a Coke have a heart....
The Insider, Sat 26 Jan 2008
Oh I do like the new recycling machine that eats cardboard and spits out lovely bale at the end. Pity is they are piled up for everyone to see!!!
Steven Timperley, Sun 21 Oct 2007
Poor Toilet facilities ie not enough cubicals in mens facility extreemly poor signage upon entrance from the motorway to car park south bound most vehicles ended up going through the petrol station then right on to car park against oncoming vehicles.
David Maddocks, Sun 7 Oct 2007
very good service good shop seling newspapers and magazines. sells a good range of road maps.Has a machine in the entrence where you can check the motorway trafic,for delays. Shows the information on scren
david abbot, Sat 8 Sep 2007
i think the negative comments about this service station are bulls**t, everytime i visit here i am treated with the upmost respect, the facilities are fantastic the toliets are gleaming.as a regular motorway user you know what service stations are good and which are bad and with the staff like that i WILL be coming here in the future.
andy cadman, Thu 10 May 2007
What is wrong with this stupid service station? The staff are ill mannered and the toilets are blocked. The food is minging and cheap. Get a grip!
Anonymous, Mon 9 Apr 2007
Excellent
Ben Greet, Wed 7 Feb 2007
What the bloody hell's going on!Travelling southbound, stop for a pee and a paper and a drink. The f****ing southbound side is all closed, 9am on a Friday morning.Welcome Break get a grip, just remember M&S to the north, M&S to the south you have been warned!!!!
Steven Timperley, Tue 30 Jan 2007
Charnock Richard Service Area is cold, its the kind of cold normally reserved for wintertime. The toilets were dirty, I almost couldn't go they were so dirty, I had to ask myself what would Jesus do in this situation, so therefore braved it through the icy, dirty chill.
Anonymous, Thu 2 Nov 2006
I needed a toilet visit on my way south down the M6. I made the mistake of stopping at this dump. What a disgusting, filthy shit hole. I was going to spend some money there on food and drink but forget it. I will never stop there again. Do the world a favour and demolish the dump.
Eric Gillett, Tue 10 Oct 2006
there is no longer a Coach driver haven at this location
Anonymous, Tue 26 Sep 2006
I called recently, obviously a new member of staff and the place was busy....I got charged twice on my credit card!!!!! watch out.
clare, Tue 8 Aug 2006
What's this a new outlet I spy.New tables & chairs, parasols & a Baked Potato Van.That's right folks a BAKED POTATO VAN!32 degrees today, needless to say not doing a roaring trade.Winter time I feel for this idea, but then sales are down, staff numbers are down, nobody to staff it, result CLOSED!Another flash in the pan idea!Does anybody remember the outside burger joint a few years ago, and that bit the dust!As a regular to this services, it gives me great pleasure to see the lengths this operator will go to get those pounds out of your pockets!
Steven Timperley, Tue 18 Jul 2006
What the hell is going on,as I have said in my last post, I call at this service area every week. The foyers are now awash with pallets of chairs, cheap, nasty, battery chargers, clothing, car mats, travel pillows, a golden bunny, and a travel information computer that tells me I am in bloody Telford, when I try to plan a route.Welcome Break get a grip!!!!
Steven Timperley, Wed 5 Apr 2006
I am a regular visitor to this site and know many of the staff by sight. Recently there seems to be a very noticeable lack of staff, they all seem to be leaving like rats on the sinking ship, just what's going on!The place was like a building site (retail) this week!
Steven Timperley, Thu 16 Feb 2006
This really is the worst service station on the planet - Please avoid it like the plague and stick to Road Chef's that tend to have a typically good standard
Gary Holmes, Mon 6 Feb 2006
I stay at the Travel Lodge at theseservices,and you feel like takingyour own life!the rooms are fallingdown..very cold,dirty,have to wipehairs out of the bath,was there onceand had no TV or lights for three nites,the staff are very rude,theguests who stay there are horriblethey have all nite parties,slam doorsall the dam time..gog when you leavein the morning,u feel like taking your own life.The food is the servicesis rubbish and the KFC is crap,why?
Ron McCullock, Thu 19 Jan 2006
Charnock Richard Services M6 is a 5 burger rated service area.
Your overall impression of Charnock Richard Services M6:
You must choose one of the overall ratings, above. Optionally, you can also give a rating for any or all of the other options.
Based on your own experience, would you say that this is a good service area for
