Motorway service stations (MSAs) offer overpriced, poor quality food and drink to a captive audience, according to an article by Tim Harford in the Financial Times magazine. Government regulations make it difficult to build new service stations, and those that already exist lack the stimulus of competition between retailers. Restrictions on motorway advertising also mean MSAs cannot signpost their wares to hungry motorists. According to journalist Sue Style in the same paper, Switzerland’s Le Marché motorway cafés are the only service stations in western Europe offering excellent food in clean conditions. Financial Times 12/08/06 page 12 (The Undercover Economist, Magazine), page W4 (Food & Drink, Weekend)

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