Harborough company's vital role in opening a new £40 million motorway service station

Andrew Granger & Co has helped to drive through the massive 25-acre motorway scheme at Churchover, near Rugby, for their client – an historic Leicester-based charity
Views of Rugby Services M6 J1 in Churchover, Rugby, Warwickshire which is now open.Views of Rugby Services M6 J1 in Churchover, Rugby, Warwickshire which is now open.
Views of Rugby Services M6 J1 in Churchover, Rugby, Warwickshire which is now open.

A Market Harborough company has played a vital role in opening a new £40 million motorway service station near Rugby

Estate agents and chartered surveyors Andrew Granger & Co is heralding Rugby Services at junction 1 of the M6 after working on the venture since 1999.

The firm’s team has helped to drive through the massive 25-acre motorway scheme at Churchover, near Rugby, for their client – an historic Leicester-based charity.

L-R, Andrew Robinson of Andrew Granger & Co with Robert Wofinden of Browne Jacobson LLP on the opening day.L-R, Andrew Robinson of Andrew Granger & Co with Robert Wofinden of Browne Jacobson LLP on the opening day.
L-R, Andrew Robinson of Andrew Granger & Co with Robert Wofinden of Browne Jacobson LLP on the opening day.

The services are the UK's flagship electric vehicle-charging motorway services, offering 24 rapid-charging points.

Operated by Moto Hospitality, the points will allow vehicles to gain 100 miles of charge in less than five minutes.

The bold blueprint – which will be welcomed by tens of thousands of road-users and has created about 120 jobs - was the brainchild of Andrew Robinson.

Andrew, the director of Andrew Granger & Co, has battled for 22 years to make the multi-million pound initiative come true for landowner Wyggeston’s Hospital.

The property company has been acting as managing agent for the medieval charity, which dates back to 1513, as well as for the entire project.

Andrew Granger & Co’s team has been advising, co-ordinating and overseeing the whole process over more than two decades – from planning and consultations to negotiations and high-level talks.

The company has also held key meetings with solicitors, tenants, the developer, architects, farmers and landowners, county and district councils and highways departments to get the cutting edge service station off the ground.

Wyggeston’s Hospital Charity, which has worked in Leicester for over 500 years and offers sheltered housing and a care home for the vulnerable and elderly, has retained the freehold.

The leasehold sale was completed in March 2019 to kickstart work on the motorway service area.

The brand new project includes the main amenity building, parking, a drive through coffee outlet and a fuel filling station with a retail shop.

The landmark project kept Andrew Granger & Co busy for even longer than expected due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

But they were celebrating as Rugby Services opened its doors on Friday April 30 - and Andrew Robinson was there to help mark the red letter day.

“It’s always a long road delivering projects as complex and innovative as this.

“The client is delighted.

“It will enable them to provide even more of their good work at a time when many charities are finding themselves in a difficult phase,” said Andrew.

“We’re very grateful to them for the opportunity and their faith in us whilst we delivered this project from its very genesis to the site opening.

“It’s been great to work with an outfit as professional as Moto Hospitality as well throughout the project.”

Chris Jones, chief executive of Wyggeston’s Hospital, said: “Andrew Granger & Co manage our estate for us, ensuring it delivers the funds we need to support our charitable work year in year out in the Leicester area.

“They took this project by the scruff of the neck and through sheer persistence and dedication turned it from an idea into a reality.”

He added: “Many challenges were overcome over the years, engaging with all those in a position of authority who often had strong views about a new motorway services at Rugby.

“We are so pleased with the expert support we have received that has enabled the realisation of this opportunity to develop our charitable work further.”

You can find out more about Wyggeston’s Hospital and the vital work they do here: www.wyggestons.org.ukOutlets such as Marks & Spencer, Greggs, Costa Coffee, KFC, Pret a Manger, Burger King, WHSmith and BP have all opened at Rugby Services.

Ken McMeikan, Moto’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to finally be opening our newest Motorway Service Area (MSA).

“Investing £40 million in our new MSA at Rugby at a time when Covid-19 has massively impacted hospitality and retail businesses across the UK is testament to the confidence we have in the UK’s ability to bounce back from the coronavirus crisis which has affected all of our lives.”

He added: “We listened to our customers and have tried to create the experience they want, with indoor and outdoor play areas for children, baby changing facilities, a multi-faith prayer room, dedicated ‘Changing Places’ toilet facilities, dog walking area, and many of the best food and drink brand outlets from the UK and globally.

“HGV drivers have been among the unsung heroes of Covid-19, moving vital food, medicines, and equipment across the UK.

“The new Rugby site has parking spaces for 100 Heavy Goods Vehicles and we hope HGV drivers will be delighted with the new facilities provided specifically for them.”

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