UK's First Motorway Pub Set to Open

It is reported that Britain's first motorway pub is set to open at Junction 2 of the M40 in Buckinghamshire. The Wetherspoons establishment has been granted a 24hr license and can serve alcohol from 8am til 1am seven days a week.

The announcement has come amid serious concerns from road safety campaigners, who say:

“People will be tempted to drink and drive and I can't understand how the local authority has allowed this. It is just not necessary - you can buy alcohol on every street corner so why tempt people by having it at motorways as well?”

It is feared that the move will see a growing trend of booze sales at UK rest stops as the Government relaxes rules on the sale of alcohol at service stations. Retailers such as M&S already stock alcoholic beverages at their motorway services stores and last month saw the first rest stop Harvester opening, also offering alcohol to patrons. 

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, is quoted as saying: "Most drivers are sensible, but you have to question a policy that encourages drivers to pull off to take a break and then offers them up a pint."

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