The new £64m Leeds Skelton Lake service station has opened at junction 45 of the M1.
It has been billed as a ‘next generation’ service station by Extra MSA Group who oversee the stop-off.
It is based around two miles east of Leeds city centre and has created 300 full-time equivalent permanent new jobs for people from Leeds and the surrounding area.
Understandably, given the coronavirus pandemic, the service station has opened with reduced services following recent government guidelines.
Due to the challenges of coronavirus, just the new Texaco petrol station and combined Spar shop is now open. It also includes a Costa Coffee with the service station having places available for electric vehicles to recharge on the grounds.
Once it is safe to fully open, Skelton Lake services will offer a wide range of popular brands within the centre as well as a business centre and 100 bedroom Ramada hotel.
When it is completely operational, the food court and amenity building, which the Extra team describe as ‘uniquely designed’, will be home to Nando’s, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, Leon, Pizza Express, Harry Ramsden’s, Upper Crust, Pasty Shop, Mi Casa and Chopstix, together with Urban Express and other complementary brand outlets.
There will also be a Sourced Market food and beverage area, inclusive of a deli-counter and a full range of naturally produced products, many as sourced from across Yorkshire.
Andrew Long, Extra MSA Group’s chief executive officer, said: “In these unprecedented times, Extra is taking the necessary measures to ensure that those who need to move around the country can do so safely, whilst taking all necessary and recommended protection measures for our employees, customers and tenant brand operating partners.
“Keeping MSAs opens is fundamental to the safe use of the UK strategic road network and while these are challenging times, the opening of Leeds Skelton Lake services will provide additional critical infrastructure facilities as are also important for the national and regional economy.”
As part of the development, there are facilities for HGV drivers and their vehicles, as well as parking for all other categories of vehicle and the new IONITY high powered EV Charging Stations.
The Customer WC & Washrooms / Showers within the Amenity Building are also open, with high standards of hygiene and operating with the appropriate ‘precautionary measures’.
Work on the new service station started back in the summer of 2018. It is crowned with a ‘living green roof’ and the Extra team state the development has been attractively designed to complement its adjacent lakeside setting.
The food court and amenities building incorporates a wildlife visitor centre also. We’ll bring you more on the opening of the service station's restaurants and other facilities when we have further information.
