Its name was thrown around so often that Jimi Hendrix thought Britons were referring to a swanky London nightclub.
Watford Gap was the stop-off point on the M1 for the likes of the Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard, The Beatles and Hendrix.
But now, the iconic service station – which was the first of its kind in Britain when it opened in 1959 in conjunction with the M1 – faces demolition.
Operator Roadchef plan to replace the ‘gateway to the North’ in Northamptonshire with a low-carbon travel hub that will boast 150 charging points for electric cars.
Roadchef CEO Mark Fox said the service station – which was once known as Blue Boar Services – is ‘past its sell-by date’ and needs to be redeveloped.
Iconic service station Watford Gap is set to be demolished and replaced with a modern travel hub. Above: The southbound services
In 1963, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones was pictured there as the band stopped off on their way to ATV Studios in Birmingham
As well as offering a petrol station and charging points, Watford Gap’s outlets include McDonald’s, Costa Coffee, WH Smith and hotel chains Days Inn and Regus Express.
Originally called the Blue Boar Cafe, the site opened its doors on November 2, 1959.
It was initially run by Blue Boar Limited, a family company that also owned Blue Boar petrol station on the nearby A5 road.
A review of Watford Gap’s services in the Daily Mail in 1968
It rapidly expanded in the 1960s and became known as the spot where some of the most iconic musicians of the era could stop off on journeys between gigs.
During a visit on their way to ATV studios in Birmingham in 1963, members of the Rolling Stones were snapped buying food.
Keith Richards was pictured in smart suit and tie standing next to the serving counter.
Demonstrating just what a celebrity hotspot it was, former employee Beatrice England – who worked the night shift at the service station – collected an array of impressive autographs in a little book.
As well as Richards, the signatories included Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Dusty Springfield, Sir Cliff Richard and members of The Eagles.
Other names in the book were those of Shirley Bassey, and the stars of bands such as The Animals and The Kinks.
Folk singer Roy Harper went as far as writing a song about the services.
The lyrics included the key line: Watford Gap, Watford Gap, a plate of grease and a load of c***’.
Customers are seen at Watford Gap in the 1960s. As car ownership increased, the services expanded
In 1993, the cafe at the services was awarded for making what was deemed to be the best cup of tea available at any motorway stop off in Britain. Above: The director of the Tea Council pouring a cuppa for award winners Lynanne Bamford and Shirley Milne, of the Blue Boar at Watford Gap
In 1993, the cafe at the services was awarded for making what was deemed to be the best cup of tea available at any motorway stop off in Britain.
Speaking to mark the services’ 50th anniversary in 2009, Brian Poole, 68, of Sixties band Brian Poole And The Tremeloes, had fond memories of its early days.
‘We used to travel a lot in our Ford Thames van and would always stop at the services – all the musicians did,’ he said.
‘It was open all night, served hot fry-ups –just what bands like us wanted – and we were often asked for our autographs there.’
He added: ‘It was definitely the place to be seen at and even quite glamorous. It did a great cup of tea and always served it in a proper cup.’
Roadchef runs both the northbound and southbound sites. It plans to demolish the complex of buildings and replace them with modern facilities.
Along with a double-decker car park and the charging points, there could also be an airport-style executive lounge for business travellers.
Mr Fox told the Telegraph that the site ‘just needs to be knocked down and be rebuilt’.
He added: ‘It’s past its sell-by date, particularly the southbound, which was the first one opened. We’ve spent money on it over the years and inside it’s kind of okay.
‘But we’re not proud of it as a physical asset and we want to build a new one on the corner of the site and then level the old one.’
Travellers are seen being served Blue Boar Services on the M1 in 1968. By then the set-up was a hub for famous musicians stopping off between gigs
Blue Boar Services opened in conjunction with the M1 in November 1958
A Roadchef spokesman added: ‘We’re proud to run Britain’s most iconic service station, Watford Gap on the M1.
‘We recognise that the site needs to evolve to meet the growing and changing needs of Britain’s road users, and ensure it’s fit for the future of road travel.
‘It is no secret that we wish to invest in the site, to significantly increase EV charging capacity and provide a better all-round experience to motorists.
‘We remain in negotiations with the Department for Transport about extending our lease of Watford Gap, after which will then be able to move forward with our extensive development plans.’
However, Catherine Croft, the director of the Twentieth Century Society, said the demolition would be a great loss.
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