To think that opening a pub at a service station is a stupid idea?

[AndHarry]

Story here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22760874

Wetherspoons are opening a pub at a service station on the M40. They "won't be asking [people] wheyher they are driving. It's up to them."

I want to bang my head repeatedly on my desk. This is such an obviously stupid idea, I can't believe it's going to be allowed

The only plus side I can see is the police could set up a road block at the exit and breathalyse every driver on their way out, thereby catching the selfish idiots who would drink and drive anyway and get them off the road.

There are thousands of pubs that you can only drive to. Also all service stations sell alcohol in one or more outlets already.

Wetherspoons sell reasonably priced food, coffee, and other things that responsible drivers can enjoy.

There are presumably other passengers in the car who might want to drink. As PatPig says, so many other places to buy alcohol from; it doesn't really make any difference.

Agree. Lots of people go to wetherspoons for the food or coffee. You can get a good breakfast there!

If you really wanted to drive drunk you'd stick a beer in your car's cup holder. I can't get angry about this AT ALL.

ps most pubs are on roads!

You can't blame the availability of alcohol for drink driving. Are you saying that just because its there, people are so suggestible that they would decided 'ah well if they sell it here, it must be ok. Give me a pint'.

I'm capable of seeing wine and not drinking it if I'm driving. If course if we stop for lunch and dh is driving, well then I would love a glass of red thanks very much.

No problem there. We take responsibility for ourselves.

Beaconsfield services are lovely - we live nearby, and have actually driven there just so DS can play in their playpark while we have a coffee - lots of dog walkers seem to go there too.

You can already buy booze from other food outlets there, as well as M&S, and Wetherspoons will be a good addition to the site with its generally OK quality pub food.

Plus there are always coach trips parked up there - plenty of custom with no risk of drink driving.

But then I'm from the country where you had to drive to get to a pub anyhow (no taxis out in the wilds) so the idea of driving to a pub and not having a drink (whilst your companions do) isn't that unusual to me

Whatever happened to personal responsibility, I doubt they aren't going to force booze down unwilling motorists' necks. If someone is stupid to drink whilst driving they and they alone are responsible not the retailer.

Service stations also sell books. Should they be banned in case the driver decides to start reading a novel at the wheel?

fuel stations often sell alcohol

also it is not actually illegal to have a drink or two when driving

also to add to the comments above, lots of service stations have hotels for overnight stays to break a journey, souless places really so nice to have a pub close by to have a meal and enjoy a bit of atmosphere before retiring for the night, drink or no drink.

I think it's a good idea.

I drive a car and while i have to drive i don't drink. If you are going to break the law by drink driving then it doesn't matter where the person get the booze from.

Wetherspoons make most of their profit from food and not the alcohol sales so i'm sure it will be the food that is being pushed rather than the booze.

Personal responsibility is something everyone should take themselves, if you want to drink and drive you dont need to stop off to do it.

I like the idea of stopping at a Wetherspoons with the kids rather than a McDs. Far more relaxing and much better food on a good day, lets hope they add on beer gardens and play areas!

Wetherspoons do cheap food that you know will be the same wherever you go in the country - I think it's a great option for a services - nicer than Burger King anyway!

Anyway, people can already drive to the pub for lunch or buy alcohol from the off-license or petrol station - why would a Wetherspoons be any worse?!

Anything that isn't a Little Chef is a good thing.

It was given permission to open a pub and restaurant.

The application for just a pub has been previously declined.

Beaconsfield is a lovely service station, and it'll benefit from having somewhere else to buy food and rest. Alcohol won't be forced on people, and it'll be a nice environment for everyone to take a long break from extended driving, like you are supposed too.

The presence of alcohol doesn't mean everyone will drink it. Designated drivers will probably abstain, or just have one, like they do at just about every other occasion.

Just listened to this being debated on JV.

I still think it is an ok idea, given how readily avaiable it is everywhere else.

I was intersted in the argument of a coach driver who stated that he could find himself in trouble if his passengers get drunk, (poor sod, can you imagine how scary it would be to be driving a bus full of pissed up idiots) but then he mentioned that he would simply avoid Service Stations with pubs.