Retro business takes gamers back in time

IF you still miss your ZX Spectrum 64 or Atari console a new business could take you on a journey back in time.

Retro Vault is opening in Colwyn Bay this weekend on a mission to take older gamers back to their childhood and introduce a new generation to classics like Street Fighter and Matchday II.

It will see people able to call in at the Abergele Road store and pay to play on a choice of more than 20 classic consoles from the last 30 years.

They can also buy up games and consoles to take home with shop founder Andrew Lewis tracking down the retro technology from around the globe.

Andrew, who had run DVD and game store Above and Beyond in Rhyl, said he believes the demand is there for classic gaming.

He said: “When we had the store in Rhyl the greatest demand was for retro games, people wanting to play games from their childhood.

“There are also people wanting to introduce their children to the games they played when they were younger.

“We saw demand for a place where people could just come in to play these games which is why we are setting up Retro Vault, which is in a really large unit.

“People can come here and use a console from a choice of more than 20 and pay to play their favourite game.

“We think we are creating a gaming history here with our consoles including the old Spectrum and Atari 600.

“Everyone has a favourite game, I always loved Space Invaders.”

Andrew has set up the firm with son Callum and friend Rob Stark.