Trivia:

Sold off by Granada as part of the agreement they made when they purchased Pavillion. Granada sold "Rivington" (Bolton West) and Magor for 8.3 Million pounds.

After the sale, a Husband and wife team who worked at Magor then moved to run this site.

First invested 1.2 Million after aquiring the site to build a new hotel, and renamed the site "Bolton West"

This MSA must have had the most changes in ownership of any MSA (see header above) It has also had 3 names- a record as far as we know (not including cases where names have reverted back to the original name)

Peter Kay filmed a spoof Docusoap about a MSA here called "The Services"

Nov-2011 - John Kennedy write:

Visited during the summer. Now rebranded as Rivington Services and owned by Euro Garage (with a green eG logo). Whole area has been demolished and rebuilt with a subway, starbucks, Spar shop and Burger king. Being build at the same time was a travelodge (or similar) Site clean and airy, feels more like a French/German MSA

Whenever I return home from Cumbria, I tend to stop here for a late breakfast. The Services here are medium sized, but I don't think I've ever seen it crowded. Decor looks a little dated, but the food, (well the all day breakfast) is great.

Anderton Service area whilst owned by Kenning. Thats Rivington Pike in the background.

Thanks:
Carl Ryding for correcting the ownership details.
"J B" for the info about Peter Kay
Richard Tysoe for more info about Peter Kay