Sweet birthday celebrations for Newport Pagnell Services

A motorway service operator is celebrating 65 years since it opened its first outlet in the UK.

Welcome Break opened by the M1 at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, in the summer of 1960.

To celebrate, food artist Michelle Wibowo created a bright yellow car entirely of cake – with the design based on the Austin Morris 1100, the most popular car at the time.

Gary Steele, operations director at the services chain, said so much had changed in the last 65 years, adding: “We’re grateful we’ve been able to help travellers in this century and the last on their journeys across the UK.”

The specially made cake – which weighed in at 90kg (14 stone) – was later served to the staff at Newport Pagnell Services.

In 1959, Motorway Service Ltd (a union consisting of Fortes and Blue Star) won the bid to build and operate the services at Newport Pagnell.

Days before its launch, the then Ministry of Transport asked Blue Star to set up a temporary petrol station, which opened alongside a recovery truck and a temporary toilet block.

A footbridge was installed in April 1960 during one of the first weekend motorway closures.

On 15 August 1960, the northbound café opened, followed by The Grill & Griddle restaurant two days later.

The footbridge and southbound area opened later on 30th September.

People who visited the restaurant enjoyed table service with a view of the new motorway.

Welcome Break Newport Pagnell now has 24-hour service station, shower facilities, 28 fuel pumps – and 52 electric vehicle charging points.

Mr Steele said: “I wonder if the first people who stopped at Newport Pagnell way back in 1960 would have thought that in 65 years there would be electric cars, a variety of different food from across the globe at the roadside, and the opportunity to listen to your favourite tunes via your mobile phone.”