Road safety and alcohol campaigners have voiced their concerns over a controversial new £1m pub, the first ever to be opened at a motorway service station.
The Hope & Champion, operated by the JD Wetherspoon chain, will be open from 4am to 1m, seven days a week, and is located at the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.
However, while the operators of the pub insist that "we do not live in a nanny state", the road safety charity Brake have fiercely criticised the decision to open a pub on a motorway, calling it a "deadly temptation".
Brake spokesman Richard Coteau explained: "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 roads, causing devastation to families and communities every day.
"It is vitally important that messages about the dangers of drink-driving are as strong and obvious as possible, so drivers know it's not okay to stop off for a quick drink on their way home.
"Our advice is not to have a drop if you are driving."
The first person to order a pint in the controversial establishment stopped in at the pub on his way to work, but admitted he only had a few sips of the alcoholic drink as it was only 9.21am in the morning.
Calling the idea "completely ridiculous", he explained he couldn't finish his London Pride as he was (as expected) driving.
Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance, also said the development sent out the wrong message, claiming the appearance of a bar on the motorway suggests a need to change alcohol licensing laws.
"The appearance of bars on our motorway network adds greater urgency to the Alcohol Health Alliance's call for a fundamental review of licensing laws, focusing on the availability of alcohol and reducing alcohol-related harm.
"Public health should be a core licensing objective, and the impact on the health of local people must be a key consideration."
"I don’t see any problem at all"
However, while many have expressed their concerns over the new pub, many of its first customers have agreed with JD Wetherspoon, saying that people should be free to take responsibility for their own actions.
Sue Higgins, who was quizzed by reporters as she enjoyed breakfast in the pub, said: "I don’t see any problem at all."
"You can buy a drink at all the other places. This is just more civilised. If people can’t control their drinking habits that’s there own problem."
Another man explained: "I don’t have a problem with it being a pub, I think you’d have to be pretty desperate to come to a motorway service station for a drink - I can think of easier places."
Do you think a pub should be allowed to open on a motorway? Will the appearance of a JD Wetherspoon at motorway services encourage drinking and driving? Or do you agree that people should be allowed to take responsibility for their own actions?
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