Queues of people are rushing to see inside a new trading card shop in the Metrocentre.
Pokémon fans and gaming collectors are turning up to be among the first through the doors of the new shop in the shopping centre's 'indy village'.
Aqua TCG opened on Friday (July 31), at The Crescent, Upper Green Mall, offering a wide selection of cards, graded collectables, sealed products and trading card accessories.
Long lines formed outside the store ahead of opening, with excited customers waiting to get their hands on rare and collectable cards.
The shop was opened by lifelong friends and Pokémon fans James Leather and Lewis Millen.
The duo, both from Swalwell in Gateshead, wanted the shop to be a hub for collectors and casual fans alike.
James, 28, said: "TCGs is a hobby that appeals to all ages: from young kids and teenagers to those of us old enough to have witnessed the arrival of Pokémon and subsequent growth of the sector as other major franchises followed suit with the likes of Yu-Gi-Oh! and, more recently, One Piece Card Game, Disney Lorcana and Riftbound."
He continued: "In the case of Pokémon alone, there are currently over 1,000 different species and everyone has their own favourite, whether it's more famous names such as Pikachu or Mewtwo or lesser-known characters such as Mr Mime."
"It's a personal thing and that's the magic of TCGs," he added.
Among those queuing were collectors clutching graded cards, with some seen showing off pulls including a White Kyurem GX and a Lycanroc GX outside the shop's newly lit-up sign.
James and Lewis turned their passion for trading card games into a business after years of travelling to card shows across the UK and meeting fellow collectors.
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When they saw an opportunity at The Crescent, Metrocentre's new destination for independent retailers, they decided to open a store.
The turnout on opening day appeared to prove they were right to bet on demand in the region.
The shop caters to a wide range of interests and budgets, offering cards in English and Japanese, from vintage to modern releases.
It also stocks professionally graded cards, sealed trading card boxes, SWSH Evolving Skies Booster Boxes and the upcoming Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Boxes, set for release in September.
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