The new service station opened last week (Image: Welcome Break)
A huge new £40 million service station has opened on Britain’s second-longest motorway in a boost to millions of drivers.
Welcome Break Rotherham is on both sides of the M1 at Junction 33 and opened on Friday after being delayed by the recent snow that hammered the country.
The main amenity building, measuring 32,000 sq ft, includes seven concession units, a retail area, gaming area, toilets, seating and a children’s play area on the ground floor.
An upper mezzanine floor includes an eighth unit, further seating and a business lounge/remote working hub.
It has created 230 jobs and has a Starbucks drive-thru, KFC, Burger King, Pret-a-Manger, Waitrose, Chopstix and WHSmith.
A new slip road will be created to get vehicles from the service station onto the M1 via the Catcliffe roundabout (Image: Welcome Break)
Big brands are arranged in a low-key stone-built market town style around the seating area with high ceilings and huge windows for natural light.
There is also a small funhouse to keep kids happy while they take a break from the hard miles on the motorway.
Vehicles enter off the A630 Rotherway on the Rotherham side and exit on to the Parkway just before the J33 Catcliffe roundabout, which has been widened to three lanes and has new traffic lights.
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The road has been expanded into three lanes in both directions to accommodate extra traffic.
An official opening event will take place next Saturda (January 25), when entertainment including live music and giveaways are promised.
It is Welcome Break’s 60th services in the UK and provides an extra service station between Woolley Edge 12 miles to the north and Woodall 14 miles to the south.