Construction has started on a new £65m service station on the M56 near Tatton, designed in the style of the renowned Tebay services. The project, named Tatton Services, is a partnership between the Westmorland family business and the Tatton Estate.
The original Tebay services on the M6 in Cumbria, opened in 1972, has earned a reputation as one of the UK's best service stations, with its farm shop, kitchen, and food hall. It has won numerous awards and praise from celebrities like Gary Barlow and Clare Balding, and was visited by King Charles III for its 50th anniversary.
Development Details
Proposals for the M56 station were approved last year following a public inquiry. The development, located between junctions 7 and 8 near Millington and Rostherne, is set to open in spring 2028. It will be built on a long-standing farmstead, with existing farmhouse and barns carefully retained.
The station will feature a farm shop, a petrol station with 40 electric vehicle charging bays, and a 100-bed hotel. New buildings will complement the site's setting.
Local Commitment
Westmorland Chair Sarah Dunning said: "We're very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire. From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community."
She added: "We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site - and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish. We're also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry."
Sustainability and Community
The project aims to set a new sustainability benchmark, powered by renewable electricity with no fossil fuels used in day-to-day operations besides vehicle fuel sold at the forecourt. It is the first Westmorland service station in the North West, with other sites in Gloucester, Lanarkshire, Cumbria, and Penrith. The design is by Howells, architects behind the RIBA award-winning Gloucester Services.
A community grant programme will distribute at least £100,000 a year to local initiatives. Pete Crowther, Tatton Estate CEO, said: "This unique sustainable motorway service area is exactly the sort of high-quality development the Tatton Estate is proud to partner with - combining a strong family-run ethos with excellent architecture, landscaping and environmental credentials."
