Services with cult following marks tenth anniversary

Local produce is championed at Gloucester Services, which has become a must-see attraction for many travellers heading up and down the M5

The director of the brand behind a cult-followed service station has said its "difference" is what has made it such a hit since it opened ten years ago.

Gloucester Services is celebrating a decade of providing those travelling via the M5 with farm produce, but also of its charity partnership with the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust.

Up to 3p in every pound of non-fuel sales at the services is reinvested in local community projects, with more than £4m reinvested and 400 jobs created in the last decade.

Ryan Dix, who secured a job through the partnership's Bridging the Gap programme, said he "absolutely loves" the people he works with at the "very special place".

'Another level'

Ryan Dix said he "never would have believed" he would be made Employee of the Year

Mr Dix, 22, was named Employee at the Year 2024 and is "absolutely ecstatic" about his achievement.

The "really, really fun" employment skills course allowed him to secure a job at Gloucester Services two years ago.

"It's changed a lot of people's lives during the 10 years, especially people on Bridging the Gap because a lot of people struggle to get a job," he said.

"This has been another level for me."

'Great journey'

Rachel McHugh said the services had built up a "loyal" customer base of holidaymakers and grocery shoppers

Rachel McHugh, brand director at Westmorland Group, which owns Gloucester Services, said it had been a "great journey" to the services' 10-year anniversary, citing its difference as the reason for its success.

The service station works with more than 130 local producers within a 30 mile (48km) radius, in a "really vibrant network of makers, farmers and growers".

"We work in partnership with them, so not just a transactional relationship," Ms McHugh said.

"It's been brilliant to see how that network has grown as the business has grown over the last 10 years."

'Just up the road'

Shem Bullen said Gloucester Services has been "really helpful and supportive" of Zerodig

Shem Bullen is head grower at Zerodig, a sustainable farming and agroecology business which grows crops such as basil, okra and tomatoes without digging the soil, to preserve its microbiology.

The Stroud-based company provides much of the salad for the kitchens at Gloucester Services, and its produce can also be purchased from the farm shop.

"It's great that we're able to keep our veg in the local area," Mr Bullen said.

"But at the same time, they're this nice intermediate sized company where you know we can do good wholesale amounts and you know they're just up the road and their values are very much in line with ours."

'Just so proud'

Jason Dunsford said the partnership has allowed "fantastic things" to happen

Jason Dunsford, head of neighbourhood learning and work at Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, said the partnership has had "a fantastic impact".

The trust works with 12 community partners in the county, supporting all kinds of work, from attracting more people to Robinswood Hill to supporting people living with addiction, in addition to Bridging the Gap.

"Ten years later of the business operating, £4m has been invested and it's been so impactful," Mr Dunsford said.

"There's been a huge ripple effect and a multiplier effect with our other investments in our community projects, we're just so proud."