Geek Retreat

British chain of shops and cafés

Geek Retreat UK LTDIndustry| Retail store, event space & café

|

Headquarters|

Glasgow, Scotland

Number of locations

| 20 stores (2025)

Area served

| England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Website| https://www.geek-retreat.uk/

Geek Retreat is a chain of franchised combined shops and board game cafés 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, console games and trading card games.[3] The venues also hold regular events.[4]

## History

[edit]

Geek Retreat in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

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] in October 2022 the network had grown to 57.[8] In late 2022, as part of a program of streamlining the corporate entities within Geek Retreat Group, one of the sub companies within the group was put into liquidation.[9]

## Business model

[edit]

Most of the individual venues are franchised. The initial investment for franchisees as of September 2024 is approximately £75,000 and franchisees are expected to pay a monthly franchise fee of 8% gross and a marketing fee of 1%.[10]

## Open Locations

[edit]

* Aberdeen, opened February 2022[11]
* Bedford, opened August 2021[12]
* Blackburn, opened June 2021[13]

* Burton upon Trent, opened February 2022[14]
* Bury, opened December 2020[3]
* Cardiff, opened November 2021[15]
* Chelmsford,[16] opened August 2020
* Dudley, opened June 2022[17]
* Glasgow, opened May 2013[6]
* Harlow, opened December 2022[18]
* Harrogate[19]
* Hartlepool, opened April 2023[20]
* Ipswich, opened October 2021[21]
* Kettering, opened February 2022[22]
* Kidderminster, opened 2021[23]
* Newcastle upon Tyne, opened 2014[5]
* Stevenage, opened June 2022[24]
* Sunderland, opened April 2021[25]
* Truro, opened May 2021[26]
* Warrington, opened April 2022[27]

## Closed Locations

[edit]

* Addlestone, opened July 2023. Left the franchise March 2024.
* Bangor, opened October 2022 (closed 9 July 2023)[28]
* Barnsley, opened July 2022, closed 11 August 2023[29]
* Bournemouth, opened October 2020[30]
* Bradford, opened 2019[31]
* Bridgend, opened April 2022,[32] closed November 2023
* Bristol Re-Opened July 2024, closed April 2025
* Chester, opened April 2022[33] closed January 2024
* Coventry, opened March 2022[34] closed 6th Feb 2025

* Cwmbran, opened June 2022, announced closure 31/08/2023[35]
* Daventry, opened October 2021[36]
* Dumfries, opened July 2021[37]
* Edinburgh
* Exeter, opened May 2021[38]
* Galashiels
* Greenock, opened April 2022, closed 30 June 2023[39]
* Halifax, opened April 2022, closed June 2024[40]
* Hereford, opened 2021, closed 18 April 2023[41]
* Lancaster, opened October 2022 (closed 6 March 2023)[42]
* Leicester, opened April 2021[43](closed October 2023)
* Leeds,[4] opened April 2018, closed 3rd June 2024
* Lincoln, opened August 2021[44]
* Lisburn, (Northern Ireland) opened 24 March 2021 (closed 10 July 2022, reopened under new management 1 October 2022, closed 18 April 2023)
* Liverpool, opened April 2021 (closed 22 July 2024)[45]
* Llandudno, opened March 2021 (closed 5 May 2023)[46]
* London Camberwell[47]
* London Holloway, closed 15 September 2023[47]
* London Sutton Opened January 2022 closed 28 March 2023
* Loughborough, opened February 2022 (closed April 2022)
* Middlesbrough, opened January 2020[48]
* Milton Keynes, opened 2021, closed 2022[49]
* Motherwell, opened November 2019, closing 20th June 2024[50]
* Newport, opened April 2022, closed May 2025[15]
* Northampton, opened October 2020[51]
* Northwich, opened August 2021, closed 12 August 2023[52]

* Nottingham, opened November 2020[53]
* Oxford, opened August 2021[54]
* Portsmouth, opened July 2021[55]
* Reigate, opened March 2022
* Rotherham, opened Dec 2021, closed 24 May 2023
* Southampton, opened 2021, closed 7 August 2023[56]
* Stafford, opened November 2021,[57] closed 21 June 2023
* St Helens, opened October 2021[58]
* Solihull
* Southampton, opened 2021 (closed 7 August 2023)[59]
* Stoke-on-Trent, opened December 2021, closing October 2024
* Torquay, opened March 2022. Changed ownership December 2022, Closed July 2023 [60]
* Wakefield, opened April 2021, closed 3rd June 2024[61]
* Wirral, opened 2019[62]
* York, CLOSED DEC 2023

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Geek Retreat: Retailer of 'all things geeky' to open 100 new shops". BBC News. 19 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
2. ^ "Geek Retreat rolls the dice on smaller town stores". BBC News. 26 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
3. ^ a b Hopkins, Daniel (15 December 2020). "Holy new business Batman: New café for all those nerdy opens in Bury". Bury Times. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
4. ^ a b Williams, Jenessa (24 July 2018). "'The stuff of introverted teen fantasy' - what happens inside Geek Retreat Leeds?". Confidentials. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
5. ^ a b Rodger, Hannah (29 August 2016). "Glasgow Means Business: Stephen and Carina Walsh of Geek Retreat". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
6. ^ a b "Geek Retreat". British Franchise Association. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
7. ^ "Geek Retreat 'on track' to open 60 new stores by end of 2021". retailsector.co.uk. 3 June 2021.
8. ^ "Retailer Geek Retreat hails record sales amid tough high street conditions". independent.co.uk. 13 October 2022.
9. ^ "FAQs – Geek Retreat UK". geek-retreat.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
10. ^ "Your Investment". Your Investment - Geek Retreat Franchise. The Franchising Centre. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
11. ^ Scott, Jenna (1 April 2022). "Aberdeen game store aims to provide a 'safe space' for minority groups". AberdeenLive. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
12. ^ Barrett, Fay (10 August 2021). "Newlyweds open disability inclusive Geek Retreat in Bedford". Bedford Independent. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
13. ^ Harrigan, Joe (10 June 2021). "'Geek culture' comics and video games cafe comes to Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
14. ^ Kreft, Helen (4 February 2022). "First look at new Geek Retreat as it about to open in Burton". Staffordshire Live. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
15. ^ a b Gregory, Rhys (4 February 2022). "Geek Retreat opens two new Welsh locations". Wales247. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
16. ^ Ferris, Mick (17 May 2021). "Ground-breaking service supports Essex adults with learning disabilities into paid employment". Yellow Advertiser. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
17. ^ "Geek Retreat Dudley". geek-retreat.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
18. ^ "The Geek Retreat opens in the Harvey Centre". Your Harlow. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
19. ^ "Harrogate's Geek Retreat to create autism-friendly space". The Stray Ferret. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
20. ^ Marko, Nic. "Geek Retreat wins permission to open new comic book store and gaming cafe in Hartlepool". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
21. ^ Mclaughlin, Charlotte (22 October 2021). "First look inside Ipswich's new Geek Retreat games cafe". Ipswich Star. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
22. ^ "Geek Retreat cafe set to open in Kettering town centre". Northamptonshire Telegraph.
23. ^ Collis, Emily (13 February 2021). "Geek Retreat new gaming store opening in Kidderminster". Kidderminster Shuttle. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
24. ^ "New opening date for Stevenage Geek Retreat". The Comet. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
25. ^ Wheeler, Katy (19 April 2021). "Geek Retreat opens new gaming cafe and shop in Sunderland city centre unit". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
26. ^ Morwood, Ryan (12 May 2021). "New gaming community hub in Cornwall gives players a place to 'geek out'". Falmouth Packet. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
27. ^ "Why this Orford couple wanted to open events hub for gaming community in town centre". Warrington Guardian. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
28. ^ "Geek Retreat Bangor". Geek Retreat. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
29. ^ "Wednesday Yugioh at Geek Retreat Barnsley!". geek-retreat.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
30. ^ Reader, Jane (19 October 2020). "Attention all geeks: Retailer Geek Retreat plans to open a store in Bournemouth". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
31. ^ "Trader of the Week: 'I wish this place had been in Bradford when I was a kid'". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
32. ^ "Geek Retreat Bridgend". Geek retreat. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
33. ^ Porter, Gary (3 April 2022). "What to expect from Chester's new gaming café Geek Retreat". CheshireLive. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
34. ^ "Geek Retreat Coventry". geek-retreat.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
35. ^ "Excitement as four new retailers sign up at town shopping centre". South Wales Argus. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
36. ^ Green, Lucie (3 November 2021). "Magical cosplay fun and all round geekness at grand launch of new Daventry business". Daventry Express. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
37. ^ "Geek Retreat Unveils New Store in Dumfries". Retail & Leisure International. 20 July 2021. Archived from the original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
38. ^ Vowles, Charlotte (16 July 2021). "Shop obsessed with geek culture opens this weekend". DevonLive. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
39. ^ "Siblings create jobs as they open new gaming cafe in Greenock". Greenock Telegraph. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
40. ^ "Geek Retreat Halifax". geek-retreat.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
41. ^ Key, Alys (2 June 2021). "Geek Retreat confirms high street expansion plans are on track". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
42. ^ "New 'Geek Retreat' to open in Lancaster shopping centre". Beyond Radio. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
43. ^ Jones, Becky (3 April 2021). "See inside new city centre shop Geek Retreat". LeicestershireLive. Archived from the original on 3 April 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
44. ^ Verney, Joseph (14 October 2021). "Hidden gem: Gamers meet at inclusive Geek Retreat Lincoln". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
45. ^ "Hi everyone, the unfortunate news is that Liverpool is temporarily closed. [...]". www.facebook.com. Geek Retreat Liverpool. 22 July 2024. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024 - via Facebook.
46. ^ "Shazam! Take a look at the superhero transformation of Llandudno's old post office". North Wales Pioneer. 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
47. ^ a b Freeman, John (2 June 2021). "Geek Retreat expands stores across the UK with future plans for European roll-out". downthetubes.net. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
48. ^ Welford, Joanne (21 January 2020). "Dedicated 'geek' culture cafe chain opening in Middlesbrough". TeessideLive. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
49. ^ "Gaming cafe Geek Retreat in Milton Keynes closes doors after less than a year".
50. ^ "Geek Retreat to open branch in Motherwell". Glasgow World. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
51. ^ Odell, Carly (16 October 2020). "Take a look inside the brand new gaming cafe opening in Northampton TODAY". Northampton Chronicle. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
52. ^ "Geek Retreat confirms plans to open new Barons Quay store next month". Northwich Guardian. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
53. ^ Pinchess, Lynette (20 November 2019). "Geek Retreat to open in the city - with appearance by Star Wars actor". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
54. ^ Eirian Jane, Prosser (16 August 2021). "A new board games cafe has opened in Oxford (and is welcoming all 'geeks')". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
55. ^ "Portsmouth sees opening of new card and tabletop gaming store and cafe Geek Retreat". www.portsmouth.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
56. ^ Edgley, Timothy (14 August 2021). "Listed: New firms that have opened their doors for the first time in Southampton". Daily Echo. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
57. ^ "Stafford gaming shop celebrates first anniversary". InYourArea.co.uk. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
58. ^ Mulligan, Simon (6 October 2021). "Geek Retreat shop launches in town centre". St Helens Star. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
59. ^ Edgley, Timothy (14 August 2021). "Listed: New firms that have opened their doors for the first time in Southampton". Daily Echo. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
60. ^ Abbott, Caroline (25 January 2022). "'Geek culture' cafe coming to Devon". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
61. ^ "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 12 April 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
62. ^ "An autism friendly 'Geek Retreat' for comic and gaming fans trials in Merseyside". Liverpool Echo. 28 November 2019. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.