Geek Retreat in Warrington is now open

Doug Brown and Leilani Woods who are born and bred in Orford run the Geek Retreat franchise in Crown Street, tucked away just by Warrington Central station.

The 41-year-old said: “It’s really something to be proud of.

“It’s been 41 days since we got it and we’ve been in here every single day working hard and making sure that we are keeping to the deadline. We’ve smashed it.

“I’m overwhelmed by our social media following too.

“The space is phenomenal – we are the biggest Geek Retreat in the United Kingdom.”

“We are a table-top, gaming, café and events hub which is a bit of a sentence but the best way to put it is that you’re going to come here if you can use our café, read our books, play our games and you can bring your own stuff as well.

“Everything has gone swimmingly. It’s been really, really hard work but I’m not scared of hard work.

“All I need to do is open the doors and let everybody who has supported us come in and see what we’ve accomplished.”

The space has been created to cater for everyone.

Events will be held every night but residents can still come down even if don’t want to participate in events.

Doug, who has one child with partner Leilani, added: “It’s not just aimed around teenagers or 20-year-olds, this is for everybody.

“This is a family place run by a family.

“We’re a pub without the beer.

“Some people, especially geeks and I used to be like this, you can be a little bit shy so come and meet me and we will get rid of that shyness, introduce you to your new best friends and that is what this place is going to be.”

Books and comics can be read at Geek Retreat

There is lots of seating in the space

The hub also has a section to buy cards, pre-loved goods, products, posters and more.

And they will also welcome ‘Mini Geeks and Guardians’ where people can come in with their kids from 10am – 12pm and pay £5 for unlimited refillable hot drinks.

Doug – who challenged visitors to bring a game he hasn’t seen before – wants to create their own community and welcome all people to Geek Retreat.

He added: “It’s so important to provide the space. When I used to read comic books my mates couldn’t see me reading them.

“Community is everything. It’s sad that some people haven’t got a place to come and a place that accepts them and that’s what we are.

“We accept everybody.

“We’re dead excited.”

It opens today, Saturday, at 10am and the first 10 customers will get a free milkshake and anyone dressed in cosplay will also get a free milkshake.