Plans in for Somerset to get cool retro gaming arcade

Owner Austin Wood at Continue? arcade in Plymouth
-Credit: (Image: William Telford)


Retro gaming fans in Somerset could soon have a new haunt if plans to open a retro arcade in Taunton town centre are approved. Austin Wood owns Continue Arcades in Plymouth, which teased proposals in September for expanding its operations into vacant retail units at 36-38 East Street in Taunton.

Mr Wood has now formally submitted plans for the facility, which if approved will see the ground floor of the unit completely transformed in time for Christmas. Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on the proposals in a matter of weeks.

Continue Arcades' new site will operate on the same "free play" basis as its Plymouth base, with punters paying £12 to enter the arcade and then playing on the games with "no time limits, restrictions, or additional costs".

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The facility is intended to be "a popular option for families, teens, date night couples and those looking for a bit of nostalgia", and is expected to be open daily between 11:30am and 11pm daily (except for Sundays, when it will open between 11am and 9pm).

-Credit:Continue Arcades
-Credit:Continue Arcades

A spokesman for James Wells Planning (representing the applicant) said: "The change of use is proposed, covering the ground floor, to enable video gaming uses with an ancillary bar serving drinks. The proposal will bring a new entertainment use to a vacant unit in a prominent position within the town centre.

"This type of use aims to diversify the role of the town centre in being a destination for leisure activities." Mr Wood has not confirmed how many new jobs will be created as a result of this new facility coming to Taunton.

The council is expected to make a decision on the plans in the coming weeks.

Due to its prominent town centre location, it is not presently clear whether this decision will be taken in public by its planning committee west (which handles major applications in the former Somerset West and Taunton area) or through the delegated powers of its planning officers.