Blackburn with Darwen Service Area M65 J4, Blackburn, M65J4

Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) are critical safety infrastructure and provide an essential service for road users. They punctuate people’s journeys and are designed to help motorists and passengers take a break in a comfortable and relaxing environment.

Not only are MSAs crucial for the safety of road users, they also represent an excellent opportunity for brands, who are able to benefit from a consistently high flow of customers from a large geographical area. Extra has led the sector in bringing choice to consumers and delivering network-wide improvements to its estate, giving motorists somewhere appealing to stop, rest and refuel.

Extra’s service areas offer a leading range of brands set in excellent locations. Over recent years, a large capital investment programme has seen significant programme of improvements across Extra’s estate, including new children’s play areas, Wi-Fi, improved washroom facilities and industry leading 350kW ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging across Extra’s eight sites.

Unlike other MSA operators, Extra operate a commercial leasing model meaning an Extra MSA is the only place for a third party retailer to directly establish a presence on the motorway network, giving brands and their partners added flexibility and the opportunity to expand their footprint. The resilience of the sector, closely tied to UK vehicle usage, which is increasing, provides an excellent opportunity for a range of occupiers across food, beverage, retail, business and leisure.

Extra operates MSAs across the country, at Beaconsfield, Cobham, Peterborough, Cambridge, Baldock, Cullompton, Leeds Skelton Lake and Blackburn with Darwen. Its MSAs includes some of the largest, most innovative and environmentally sustainable facilities on the network. Blackburn with Darwen MSA is located close to Junction 4 of the M65, approximately 5 miles to the south of Blackburn. In addition to providing a critical facility for motorists using the M65, the MSA is within walking distance of several offices, trade parks and connects directly to the large residential areas to the north of Darwen town centre. Blackburn with Darwen has consistently scored over 95% for overall customer satisfaction in the Transport Focus Motorway Services User Survey. The MSA has a Shell fuel filling station and a 48 room Travelodge hotel, with other retailers in the amenity building including McDonalds, Greggs, Costa Coffee, Chopstix and Quicksilver Gaming. The average vehicle count reflects 1.2 million in 2023, equating to 1.7 million passengers. These figures exclude pedestrian visitors from local homes and businesses. Average dwell time is amongst the highest in the sector given the quality of the food & beverage offer and other amenities.