Whitehall denies M-way burger tactic

Government departments have denied reports that they are considering proposals to force motorway service operators to let mobile caterers sell burgers and chips in their car parks, to offer consumers more choice and lower prices.

While lobbyists such as trade and consumer associations and MPs have forwarded such proposals in the past 12 months, the Government's transport and trade divisions said they were not currently under consideration.

Even the Mobile and Outside Caterers' Association, which has been lobbying for two years for a licensed and policed network of quality mobile caterers at motorway service areas and roadsides, was not sure why the story had returned to the limelight.

The two dominant operators were dismissive. "To be honest, we feel there is no substance to the story at this stage," said a spokeswoman for Compass Roadside (formerly Granada Motorway Services).

Richard Pennycook, chief executive of Welcome Break, added: "The Government can't tell someone who owns property that they have to put alternative competitors on their property."

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 11-17 January 2001