Geek Retreat
Geek Retreat is a chain of franchised combined shops and cafes in the United Kingdom.[1][2] The venues offer food, drink, and have various items for sale, while also providing a space to play board games and console games.[3] The venues also hold regular events.[4]
History[]
The company opened its first venue in Glasgow in 2013. Its second venue opened the following year in Newcastle upon Tyne.[5] It joined the British Franchise Association in 2021.[6] In June 2021, it had 27 venues.[7]
Business model[]
The individual venues are franchised. Entry is free and guests are asked to purchase food and drink.[8]
Locations[]
- Bedford, opened August 2021[9]
- Blackburn, opened June 2021[10]
- Bournemouth[11]
- Bradford[12]
- Bury, opened December 2020[3]
- Chelmsford[13]
- Daventry, opened October 2021[14]
- Dumfries, opened July 2021[15]
- Exeter, opened May 2021[16]
- Glasgow, opened 2013[6]
- Harrogate[17]
- Hereford, opened 2021[18]
- Ipswich, opened October 2021[19]
- Kidderminster, opened 2021[20]
- Leeds[4]
- Leicester, opened April 2021[21]
- Lincoln, opened August 2021[22]
- Llandudno, opened March 2021[23]
- London Camberwell[24]
- London Holloway[24]
- Middlesbrough, opened January 2020[25]
- Motherwell, opened November 2019[26]
- Newcastle upon Tyne, opened 2014[5]
- Northampton, opened October 2020[27]
- Northwich, opened August 2021[28]
- Nottingham, opened November 2020[29] (now closed)
- Oxford, opened August 2021[8]
- Portsmouth, opened July 2021[30]
- Southampton, opened 2021[31]
- St Helens, opened October 2021[32]
- Sunderland, opened April 2021[33]
- Truro, opened May 2021[34]
- Wakefield, opened April 2021[35]
- Wirral, opened 2019[36]
References[]
- ^ "Geek Retreat: Retailer of 'all things geeky' to open 100 new shops". BBC News. 2020-10-19. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "Geek Retreat rolls the dice on smaller town stores". BBC News. 2021-07-26. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ a b Hopkins, Daniel (2020-12-15). "Holy new business Batman: New café for all those nerdy opens in Bury". Bury Times. Archived from the original on 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ a b Williams, Jenessa (2018-07-24). "'The stuff of introverted teen fantasy' - what happens inside Geek Retreat Leeds?". Confidentials. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Rodger, Hannah (2016-08-29). "Glasgow Means Business: Stephen and Carina Walsh of Geek Retreat". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Geek Retreat". British Franchise Association. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "Geek Retreat 'on track' to open 60 new stores by end of 2021". 2021-06-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Eirian Jane, Prosser (2021-08-16). "A new board games cafe has opened in Oxford (and is welcoming all 'geeks')". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Barrett, Fay (2021-08-10). "Newlyweds open disability inclusive Geek Retreat in Bedford". Bedford Independent. Archived from the original on 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Harrigan, Joe (2021-06-10). "'Geek culture' comics and video games cafe comes to Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Reader, Jane (2020-10-19). "Attention all geeks: Retailer Geek Retreat plans to open a store in Bournemouth". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Trader of the Week: 'I wish this place had been in Bradford when I was a kid'". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2020-10-29. Archived from the original on 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Ferris, Mick (2021-05-17). "Ground-breaking service supports Essex adults with learning disabilities into paid employment". Yellow Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Green, Lucie (2021-11-03). "Magical cosplay fun and all round geekness at grand launch of new Daventry business". Daventry Express. Archived from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "Geek Retreat Unveils New Store in Dumfries". Retail & Leisure International. 2021-07-20. Archived from the original on 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Vowles, Charlotte (2021-07-16). "Shop obsessed with geek culture opens this weekend". DevonLive. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "Harrogate's Geek Retreat to create autism-friendly space". The Stray Ferret. 2021-09-23. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Key, Alys (2021-06-02). "Geek Retreat confirms high street expansion plans are on track". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Mclaughlin, Charlotte (2021-10-22). "First look inside Ipswich's new Geek Retreat games cafe". Ipswich Star. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Collis, Emily (2021-02-13). "Geek Retreat new gaming store opening in Kidderminster". Kidderminster Shuttle. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Jones, Becky (2021-04-03). "See inside new city centre shop Geek Retreat". LeicestershireLive. Archived from the original on 2021-04-03. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Verney, Joseph (2021-10-14). "Hidden gem: Gamers meet at inclusive Geek Retreat Lincoln". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on 2021-10-14. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "Shazam! Take a look at the superhero transformation of Llandudno's old post office". North Wales Pioneer. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ a b Freeman, John (2021-06-02). "Geek Retreat expands stores across the UK with future plans for European roll-out". downthetubes.net. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ Welford, Joanne (2020-01-21). "Dedicated 'geek' culture cafe chain opening in Middlesbrough". TeessideLive. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Geek Retreat to open branch in Motherwell". Glasgow World. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Odell, Carly (2020-10-16). "Take a look inside the brand new gaming cafe opening in Northampton TODAY". Northampton Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Geek Retreat confirms plans to open new Barons Quay store next month". Northwich Guardian. Archived from the original on 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Pinchess, Lynette (2019-11-20). "Geek Retreat to open in the city - with appearance by Star Wars actor". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Portsmouth sees opening of new card and tabletop gaming store and cafe Geek Retreat". www.portsmouth.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Edgley, Timothy (2021-08-14). "Listed: New firms that have opened their doors for the first time in Southampton". Daily Echo. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Mulligan, Simon (2021-10-06). "Geek Retreat shop launches in town centre". St Helens Star. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Wheeler, Katy (2021-04-19). "Geek Retreat opens new gaming cafe and shop in Sunderland city centre unit". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Morwood, Ryan (2021-05-12). "New gaming community hub in Cornwall gives players a place to 'geek out'". Falmouth Packet. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "Luxury boutique and board game cafe among new Wakefield businesses opening for the first time as lockdown easing continues". www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Echo, Liverpool (2019-11-28). "An autism friendly 'Geek Retreat' for comic and gaming fans trials in Merseyside". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
Categories:
- Retail companies of the United Kingdom
- 2013 establishments in Scotland