“Heading up Gloucester Services is a dream job for me as the ethos of the services – championing local food and forming close ties with the community – is close to my heart.
“We have a real opportunity to raise the standards of motorway food as well as sharing our approach to affordable quality local produce with the public and that starts with the procurement process.”
“We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response from local producers keen to work with us. We are all very excited about the foodie partnerships that are starting to emerge and even more excited by what that means for M5 customers’ hunger pangs.
“Everyone uses the motorway system. But motorists have fairly low expectations, faced with chain outlets and high priced and low quality food.
“I want to change that expectation. Proper food matters and we’re proud to serve it in place where you least expect it, on the motorways.”
The Gloucester services is the sister project of the Tebay Services in Cumbria on the M6, currently the UK's only family-owned and run motorway service area, dedicated to serving fresh local and artisan produced food.
Gloucester Services will provide a share of site sales to charity— the Gloucester Gateway Trust that is run alongside the Gloucester Services—providing regular and reliable income to local charity projects. It expects to distribute an estimated £10m over 20 ears into community projects.
Bastyan is currently recruiting up to 150 members of staff – from farmshop, café and communications Managers to chefs, butchers and bakers – ready for opening in May.