Bristol gamers left in the cold as Geek Retreat shuts its doors (again) - but this time it's for good

By HOAR Team 17 April, 2025 6 mins read 109 Views

Ugh. Another one bites the dust. I swear I'm getting tired of watching these gaming spots disappear like my motivation on Monday mornings.

I had a friend who practically lived at that Bristol Geek Retreat. He texted me yesterday: "Where am I supposed to waste my weekends now?" Poor guy. The place was his second home for Pokémon tournaments and those endless Magic: The Gathering sessions that somehow stretched from afternoon into "oh crap, it's 2AM."

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The Manager's Breaking Point

So here's what happened. The store manager, Liam, posted this heartfelt message on social media explaining why he had to pull the plug. Turns out he's been juggling both the Bristol AND Newport locations - which are a solid 30 miles apart. Who thought that was sustainable? My commute is 4 miles and I still complain about it.

Listen. I get it. The guy tried to be Superman, managing two stores across different cities while dealing with personal stuff. We've all been there... well, not managing gaming stores specifically, but trying to do too much and watching it all crumble.

His actual words were pretty straightforward: "When I took on both Bristol and Newport, I genuinely believed I could give both sites teh time and attention they deserved." Classic case of optimism meeting reality in a dark alley.

Wait, didn't this already happen?

This isn't even the first time this particular store has closed! Back in 2022, the place opened with all the fanfare and excitement you'd expect. Then last year, the previous managers bailed, and the place temporarily shut down. Liam swooped in around July to resurrect it.

And now, barely a year later... game over.

The Bigger, Uglier Picture

This Bristol closure isn't happening in isolation. It's part of a massive downsizing for the whole Geek Retreat chain. Back in 2022, they had 57 stores scattered across the UK. Today? Just 21 remain standing.

I actually visited the Glasgow location in 2019 (spent like £40 on snacks alone because gaming makes me hungry). That was their original flagship store that opened in 2013. It had this vibe that felt like walking into your coolest friend's basement - if your friend somehow had every board game ever made and an industrial coffee machine.

The chain has been dropping locations faster than I abandon New Year's resolutions. Leeds, gone. Liverpool, shuttered. Several London spots, vanished.

The Community Fallout

The reactions from locals hit me right in the feels.

"Totally understandable. I will miss our chats," wrote one regular. Another posted, "Always sad to see a community space close up in Bris, big love from the Hoard café team and best of luck with your other space."

My favorite response? The opportunist who commented: "Hire me I'll manage the store for you." Gotta respect the hustle.

For Bristol gamers, their options are now limited to trekking to either Cardiff or Newport. God. Imagine having to cross into Wales just to play Dungeons & Dragons with strangers.

The Economics of Geekdom

I talked to my buddy who works in retail analytics (yes, that's actually a job) about this whole situation. He wasn't surprised at all.

"These specialty hobby shops were already struggling before the pandemic. Then they got absolutely hammered in 2020-2021. The ones that survived that punch got hit again with inflation and rising commercial rents."

Makes sense. When people are choosing between heating their homes or buying the latest Pokémon expansion, adulting unfortunately wins.

What's weird is that tabletop gaming has never been more popular. The disconnect between cultural interest and sustainable business models is... well, it's depressing.

For now, Bristol geeks will have to make do with online communities or long drives. And Liam? He's focusing everything on making the Newport location work.

I might actually drive over there next weekend. After all this doom and gloom, the least I can do is buy a few booster packs and overpriced energy drinks.

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https://hellofaread.com/money/end-of-an-era-herefords-beloved-menswear-shop-closing-after-75-years