Couple press start on retro arcade business
A NEW retro arcade has opened up in Swansea which will give people an opportunity to play some classic games from the Eighties.
Martin Proctor and his wife Bethany have launched new business Retro Revolution at High Street Arcade in the city centre.
Originally from New Brighton in Merseyside and now living in Bridgend, Mr Proctor said he saw first hand growing up how popular an amusement arcade business could be.
The new venture features 20 systems, including Sega, Nintendo, Playstation, X-box, Atari, Famicom, Spectrum and Commodore, meaning there are hundreds of games across 21 stations, while there is also an air hockey table and table football set up.
People are being challenged to come along and try to get their name on the scoreboard.
In the coming weeks, there are plans to introduce full-sized game machines including Pac-man, Frogger, Defender and Donkey Kong.
Mr Proctor said: “Being children of the Eighties, we also grew up playing Sega, Nintendo and things like that, and were very fortunate to have those computer systems when they came out.
“We used to have a business doing bouncy castles and inflatable slides and children’s parties, which stopped when Covid hit and we went into lockdown.
“It was always on our minds to open a retro arcade, and we’d seen them pop up here and there, and we took a chance and bought all the systems and have opened one in Swansea.
“We were looking originally in Cardiff, and have been looking all year for a site and just couldn’t really find anywhere, and then by accident I happened to come to Swansea and I spoke to a lady who mentioned a unit in the arcade was free.
“The High Street Arcade is brilliant because there’s such an eclectic mix, from tarot readers, cafes –- it’s just brilliant.
“We spent a month painting everything
here and putting the systems in and got open this week.
“The feedback has been great so far. We’ve had quite a few people in already.
“Because we’ve got kids, we know how we’re always stuck for something for them to do.
“Although you could take them to the bowling alley and the arcade, you could easily spend £100 in the space of an hour.
“We wanted something people
could do that would be cheap and indoors.
“We’ve catered for all ages. My daughter is three, and my son is 14 so we’ve put a little kids area in there with colouring and crayons, and toys and things, so if a family does come, there’s something for the smaller children to enjoy and be entertained whilst the older ones play on the computer.
“We’re charging £5 for the hour, £8 for two hours, or £10 all day and have got all sorts of promotions on.
“The idea is that you can roam about and play different games. You can come from any age, everyone is welcome.
“On a Sunday we close at 4pm, and from 4pm until 6pm, we’re making the place free to any charity who wants to come along.”
Retro Revolution is open from Tuesday to Saturday, noon-7.30pm, and Sundays noon-4pm. It will also be open on bank holiday Mondays.