Ready Player One for a New Retro Arcade in Bradford

Retro gamers in West Yorkshire have something to be excited about following the acceptance of a planning application for a retro arcade in Bradford.

Featuring modern and vintage games, Flashback Arcade will be based in what was the loading bay building of local newspaper the Telegraph & Argus, close to Bradford Crown Court. Planning for the building’s first floor conversion into a retro arcade was submitted by Mohammed Patel, including mention of retro arcade machines, air hockey tables, and a cafe. Mr Patel has spent around £250,000 on machines for the business, some of which have been imported from Japan. Games include Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat II, a Pac-Man Smash table, and more recent immersive arcade machines like Lost Land Adventure and Star Wars Battle Pod.

In approving the application, council planning officers noted: “The application proposes to bring a new leisure use into this city centre location which will add to the vitality and viability of the city centre.”

Crucially for acceptance, the business – which expects to open later in June – will not include gambling machines.

As is usual for modern retro gaming arcades, there is no need for loose change. Instead, after paying an entry fee, gamers will have unlimited plays. An adult ticket is £15, while under 16s can enter for £10 each. Accompanied under 5s are free.

The as-yet-unnamed retro arcade in Bradford city centre joins an upcoming escape room on Hustlergate, a Ninja Warrior activity centre due to open in the Broadway Shopping Centre, and a forthcoming “virtual reality experience” set to open in the former Boyes store on North Parade.

(The Telegraph & Argus)