Arcade Club Turns Ten: A Decade of Gaming, Kicking Off with BBC’s “Collectaholics”
As Arcade Club celebrates its tenth birthday, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. From humble beginnings to now being Europe’s largest arcade, this milestone is a testament to the power of community, and, in many ways, a single spark that ignited it all: our feature on the BBC show Collectaholics.
In the early days, Arcade Club was something of a hidden gem—a haven for classic arcade game lovers, quietly tucked away but bursting with potential. Then, in 2015, everything changed. When the producers of Collectaholics came across Andy Palmer’s incredible collection of arcade cabinets, they knew it was something special. But what neither they nor we could have predicted was just how much of an impact that single TV appearance would have.
For those who might not be familiar, Collectaholics was a BBC series that explored the fascinating world of collectors and the unique treasures they accumulated. It wasn’t just about the items—it was about the stories behind them. When Arcade Club was featured, Andy’s passion for preserving gaming history resonated with viewers. His collection wasn’t just rows of machines; it was a living, breathing archive of an era that so many had fond memories of.
The show didn’t just highlight the games—it highlighted the atmosphere. Viewers got a glimpse of what Arcade Club was all about: a place where anyone, from die-hard retro gamers to families looking for a unique day out, could relive the magic of gaming. It wasn’t long after the episode aired that we saw numbers shoot through the roof.
It was a turning point. Suddenly, people who had never heard of Arcade Club were making trips from across the country, eager to experience what they had seen on TV. The wave of attention was both exciting and challenging—we went from a niche following to a mainstream hit almost overnight! But we’ve never looked back.
Since then, Arcade Club has grown exponentially. We’ve opened new locations, expanded our collection, and even pushed the boundaries of what a modern arcade can be, all while keeping the same heart and passion that made Collectaholics viewers fall in love with us in the first place.
As we look back on the last decade, it’s clear that our feature on Collectaholics was more than just a moment of fame—it was the launchpad that propelled us into the public spotlight. And now, ten years on, it’s just the beginning of the next exciting chapter in our journey. Stay tuned for the next part of our anniversary series, where we’ll dive deeper into our expansion and the incredible community that has supported us along the way.
