A new arcade featuring retro, 2000s, modern, and imported Japanese gaming machines is set to open this July in Bradford city centre.
Flashback Arcade will open in the Telegraph and Argus building, on Drake Street opposite Bradford Crown Court. The arcade is set to be an entertainment centre for the whole family to enjoy, with different games suited to a variety of levels, from the casual arcade goer to the hardcore gamer.
Unlike other arcades, this one is unique as there will be no gambling machines on the premises, making it suitable for everyone to enjoy.
Owner of the business, Mohammed Patel, who supplies arcade games to venues up and down the country, decided to open up his own arcade after noticing the gap in the market in Bradford.
He said: “There are a few retro arcades in West Yorkshire, however, they are all out of town in random warehouses. Flashback Arcade has the machines everyone knows and loves like Pacman and driving simulators, and is going to be city centre in an accessible building which is what makes us different.”
Opening a new business during the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t been without its challenges. With some of the machines coming as far as Japan and being translated into English, sourcing, importing, and shipping has been made starting an arcade business more difficult and more expensive than ever before.
Mr Patel said: “It used to cost me £4,000 to get one of the machines over from Japan but since the shortages in shipping containers because of shortages due to the Coronavirus, it has cost me £12,000 in shipping alone.”
Mr Patel went on to say that: “I have definitively taken a risk opening this business. We are the first company to move into the Telegraph and Argus building since they moved premises. I opted for the new concept of opening an arcade with a one-time fee for unlimited play because the pay-per-play model is a bit outdated.
“The Coronavirus pandemic, Brexit, and technical delays with planning permission and internet connection has put us back a few weeks but we are almost at our launch date, which will be a weekend sometime in July.”
The machines in the arcade will include old favourites such as Street Fighter II, Pac-Man Smash and Mortal Kombat II. Mr Patel, who has spent over £250,000 on purchasing the machines said that the arcade will also feature immersive games such as Lost Land Adventure and Star Wars Battle Pod.
Instead of having to pay for each game individually using coins or tokens like traditional arcades, this one will instead use an entry fee system which will then allow visitors to play at the arcade for an unlimited time.
Unlimited play comes at £15 for anyone over the age of 16, with kids under the age of 16 costing £10 a pop. Under 5s have free entry if they are accompanied by an adult. Family passes for two adults and two children are available at £40, a 10% discount when purchasing all together.
The opening times, which are subject to change due to demand are:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 2 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm
As well as the arcade games there will be air hockey tables and a cafe area that will serve favourite snacks such as burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and hot and cold drinks.
