UK shop in administration – anyone who grew up in 2000s will be devastated | UK | News

This UK business has gone into administration. Now that brand is at risk of disappearing from the high street. And now yet another has called in the administrators. There seems to be a at present a constant drip, drip, drip of dread for Britain’s shopping districts. The years of a stable and dependable flow of custom are long gone, and firms are feeling the consequences of Brits’ changing ways.

GAME has announced that it is closing all of its standalone stores in another major blow, with the company filing its intention notice to go into administration last week. This is the second time the company has done so since 2012. Owner Frasers Group confirmed the branches in Dudley, Lancaster, and Sutton will soon be no more.

But its website will continue to operate, as well as more than 200 concession stores in Sports Direct and House of Fraser. This news will strike a chord in the hearts of people like me who grew up in the 2000s.

I still vividly remember asking my mum for my first age 12-rated game in Nuneaton town centre of a weekend.

I told her something along the lines of: “I think I’m ready.”

This was outside Gamestation, a GAME rival, which disappeared long ago and did the same sort of thing – selling pre-owned games alongside new releases.

I should explain, my parents had a rather, in my opinion, too literal interpretation of PEGI recommendations, which sparked an enormous amount of chagrin from my younger brother and I.

Going round to the houses of friend who had more liberal mums and dads was the only way I could for a while play some of the most popular video games and keep up with a number of conversations amongst my geeky clique at school.

Once this despotic attitude relaxed in my early teens, and I slowly ticked off the years needed to purchase 18-rated titles, I could finally take full advantage of GAME’s Aladdin’s Cave, which was both kind and unkind to my wallet.

Every trip into town required dropping into Waterstones and the gaming store, which were conveniently right next to one another.

New games obviously cost a lot, with big releases today cost frankly extortionate amounts.

But mostly on GAME’s shelves were second hand titles – a massive library of new worlds and stories to explore for affordable prices.

I cannot calculate the hours of joy brought to me by the shop over the years, and upon hearing of the demise of stores, I was genuinely quite sad.

You’ll probably be pleased to know that, as a semi-functioning adult with a full-time job, I now prioritise things other than computer games during my leisure time.

But growing up, contrary to popular belief, playing video games, in moderation of course, is a very healthy use of one’s time.

It’s a great way to socialise with friends for one, and build relationships.

There’s also the problem solving aspect as well, and complex stories and characters mean players learn a great deal about the human condition.

It ain’t just shoot ’em ups, however fun they are.

The closure of GAME stores will mean games are ultimately less accessible as the lines of less dear pre-owned games are no more and control of prices is handed to Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox.

Does your local high street need improving? Get in touch via adam.toms@reachplc.com