England's first motorway pub set to open

The British motorway network has a history of firsts. The first motorway was famously the eight-mile stretch of Preston bypass, which opened on the 5 December 1958. Then came the first motorway services at Watford Gap in November 1959.

The first 70mph speed limit was trialled in 1965, with the first tolled motorway - the M6 Toll - opening in 2003. But the first motorway pub in England? That's one thing we didn't see coming.

When JD Wetherspoon announced last year that it was to open a pub on the M40, the news divided opinion. On the one hand, there was the argument that this was a great move for freedom of choice. But other people claimed it would lead to an increase in instances of drink-driving, putting the lives of motorists at risk.

But no matter what your views are, the first motorway-side pub throws open its doors 21 January 2014, with a license to sell alcohol from 9am. Would anyone really fancy a drink at such an early hour? Surely a cup of strong coffee would be further up the list of options?

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The JD Wetherspoon pub, known as The Hope and Champion, will be located at the Extra Beaconsfield Service Area, which - according to the website - "is one of the newest and most attractive Motorway Service Areas in Europe".

The Service Area is situated just off the M40 at Junction 2, some four miles north west of the junction with the M25. It also includes the likes of McDonald's, Starbucks, Greggs, M&S and Domino's Pizza.

Crucially, contrary to many reports in the media, the Service Area isn't situated just off the motorway itself. After taking the exit at Junction 2, drivers are required to turn left on to the A355 and then left into the Service Area.

The Hope and Champion will be open seven days a week, between the hours of 4am and 1am. The pub is licensed to sell alcohol from 9am until close.

The pub's opening - which cost £1.18 million - has created 120 jobs in the local area.

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Manager of The Hope and Champion, Steve Baldwin:

"Myself and the team are looking forward to welcoming customers into The Hope and Champion.

"The Extra Motorway Service Area, now including The Hope and Champion, primarily serves the motorway users, but its facilities are also available to the surrounding community from the local road network."

Brake road safety charity campaigner, Ed Morrow:

"The opening of a pub on a motorway is a serious concern, presenting a potentially deadly temptation to drivers.

"Drink-driving remains one of the biggest killers on our road, causing devastation to families and communities every day."

A poll carried out by the Watford Observer suggested the public are divided over the location of the pub. When asked if they thought it was a good idea, or a cocktail for disaster, 46% were in favour, and 54% were against.

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The pub chain - which has over 800 establishments, employing 23,000 staff - has promised to include the national Drink Drive Awareness logos on its menus and also to avoid any alcoholic promotional deals.

Well naturally, anything that encourages drink-driving has to be frowned upon. There's simply no excuse for driving over the legal limit.

But does a pub in a motorway service area really encourage drink-driving? We visit service areas on a regular basis. It's possible to gamble, buy cigarettes or devour a thoroughly unhealthy grease burger. Nobody's forcing you to, and if gambling, smoking or eating fast food aren't for you, then that's fine.

Besides, petrol stations have been selling alcohol for years. And let's face it, the majority of pubs are located next to a road of some sort. For many people, it's only possible to get there by car.

Yes, a motorway service area is there primarily to serve motorists on the move. But many will also have hotels where residents may want a quick drink before bedtime. And the outlets, as in this instance, may serve the wider community, too.

With some common sense, there's no reason why anyone should be alarmed by this move. If you don't like drinking or indeed, you aren't a fan of JD Wetherspoon establishments, then go elsewhere.

But with The Hope and Champion offering products "priced below the company average", this could be the place to go to avoid being ripped off by motorway prices. And we'd raise a glass (of soft drink) to that.

By Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, contributor, MSN Cars