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Search the Public Notice PortalA “wild and wacky” gaming paradise is coming to Darlington featuring racing simulators, retro games, and VR “egg” pods.
Arcade and entertainment centre Arcadia Darlington is preparing to open in the heart of the town centre later this year.
From 360° virtual reality to adrenaline-pumping simulators and retro arcade classics, the venue is promising to bring “something different” to the area.
It is the brainchild of IT-whizz Andrew Hoggart, who has run the Northallerton Computer Shop, on the town's High Street, for the last two years.
The 31-year-old has spent the last 18 months trying to find the right location for the “next level” gaming centre - and is now ready to get to work.
Arcadia will be packed with a whole host of gamer favourites, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switches on 100” screens, retro arcades, a dance machine, and racing simulators that will “make you feel like you’re on the grid at Silverstone”.
It will also boast four Virtuix Omni VR Stations, which allow gamers to strap themselves into a 360 degree treadmill and physically explore virtual worlds, and an interactive sports simulator.
There will also be a chill-out café and bar, with a licensing application to serve alcohol already submitted to Darlington Borough Council, and a sensory room.
Andrew, who is from Northallerton and used to live in Darlington, said: “Initially it was going to be in Northallerton.
"I already own a shop there but we couldn’t find a building big enough.
“So that stalled us for 12 months and then we heard about the regeneration in Darlington."
Andrew said he never planned to expand the computer shop - but, after buying some VR units for other places and seeing their popularity, he knew it was time to branch out.
He continued: “We have been working with the estate agent for 18 months to find a place, it’s taken quite a while.
"She took me to different buildings - I’d say I saw half of Darlington!
“We tried the bigger building but a lot of them are in such disrepair.”
Eventually, Andrew settled with a location in the heart of the town - but is keeping the exact spot under wraps as part of a special competition for the launch.
“It’s going to have a really jazzy theme”, Andrew teased. “It will be an all inclusive place where everyone and anyone can come and enjoy themselves.
“It will be very bright with lots of colours. We have got UV lights and UV walls which will glow in the dark, and we have got spray paint artists doing full custom walls.
“People want something different - you need somewhere that is different.
“There is not a lot for people to do rather than go to a pub or club.
"You have your younger places for kids and babies but nothing after that sort of age for people to do instead. It won’t be anything like Darlington has seen before”
Andrew said he has taken inspiration from bars in the likes of Budapest and Krakow for the design of Arcadia, and is using local contractors to help with the job.
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He is now eyeing an opening date of October, and hopes to be open from 3.30pm until midnight between Monday and Friday and 10am until midnight on the weekend.
There are also plans for a gaming after school club, with sign-up dates to be announced soon.
You can keep up to date with Arcadia via its Facebook page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575945525221
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