In 1965 Top Rank Motor Inns operated Forton Services (Lancaster) was the second service station to open on the M6. It's jewel being the once super cool/now considerably shabby Pennine Tower which housed a posh restaurant (with waiters and everything) serving cocktails to drivers so they can relax more at the wheel no doubt. It's still quite a site and a terrible shame that it's no longer used. There's more about it here including details of it's untimely demise.
Very cool, looks like its from the Joe 90 or Thunder Birds 1960s TV programmes.
Fab.
Posted by: Mark Spurgeon | 22 April 2009 at 02:44 AM
Hi Richard,
Designed a piece for an architecture magazine that had a little bit about the Pennine Tower late last year - check it out at http://www.sanassy.co.uk/downloads/aaj66-67.pdf
Posted by: Sonia | 22 April 2009 at 10:27 AM
I was born in Lancaster, and used to work in the Services in the restaurant (now underneath the tower) - its always a great symbol that i'm home when I see it coming up the M6...
Posted by: Harry Payne | 15 September 2009 at 02:11 PM
Its funny! because I go to scotland or wales every year, and we always seem to stop at this service station. One year i took a picture of the tower, and i now have it in my living room in a frame. this reminds me of my holidays, aswell as the holiday snaps! It's a real shame that the tower dosen't get used as a restaurant anymore!!
Posted by: Sean Thomas Gillard | 30 May 2010 at 09:26 PM
According to some research, not long after the tower opened, some people complained about when it was lit up at night. One person said that when it was lit up at night, from a distance it looked like a UFO. I thought it was strange when i found that research. but I've stopped at this service station at night, and I think the tower lights really stand out and attract people to the service station!! I have a family relation who works at the service station, and he and his work mates are happy to have this 1960's tower to represent Forton Services!!!
Posted by: Sean Thomas Gillard | 30 May 2010 at 09:40 PM
i've just read a short story about the restaurant. that since the opening until present very strange and dangerous entitys or hauntings have happened there. and 4 or 5 people have disappeared from there. is there any truth or is it just fiction?
Posted by: Tonya | 21 April 2013 at 03:37 AM