The Barnsdale Bar North branch was a Little Chef restaurant located on the A1 near Wentbridge, West Yorkshire.
Address and Onsite Information[]
ADDRESS: A1 Northbound, Wentbridge, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 3JF
ONSITE FACILITIES: Shell, Select (forecourt), Deli by Shell (forecourt), Costa Express (forecourt), Pulse and Cocktails
LITTLE CHEF NOW: Pulse and Cocktails
For more information, visit Motorway Services Online
History[]
In the early 1960s, the Barnsdale Bar service station, comprising a filling station and restaurant, was built by Forte on the southbound side of the A1. Whilst land directly opposite on the northbound side was also developed, it was simply built as a filling station site with no catering facilities provided alongside. However, a large car park and footbridge crossing the A1 were built in the first instance, allowing those travelling northbound to access the restaurant on the southbound side.
In 1980, a Little Chef restaurant was added to the northbound side. Originally, the restaurant was housed in a rectangular building with a flat roof; however, it was later rebuilt in its current building design as seen today. A photo of the original Little Chef building can be located in the gallery below.
In 1988, the restaurant on the southbound side became the Barnsdale Bar South branch of Little Chef, which operated in tandem with the northbound restaurant.
In the 1990s, a Forte Coffee Stop was added to the site, although this later closed.
In the early 2000s, the footbridge linking the two sides together was demolished.
In 2004, the Little Chefs on both sides of the Barnsdale Bar Services had ceased trading, following the cull of 131 Little Chef restaurants by then owners, Permira, nationwide. However, a U-turn was made in 2005 when the restaurants had re-opened under new owners, the People's Restaurant Group.
However, in January 2012, then owners R Capital announced the closure of 67 unprofitable Little Chefs. Initially, the Barnsdale Bar sites were not included in this list; however, in September 2012, further unexpected closures were announced and both Barnsdale Bar restaurants closed with almost no warning.
The Little Chef has since become a Pulse and Cocktails adult superstore.
Gallery[]
