Having gone WELL past pinball ownership stage 6 , this year stage 7 became inevitable
“7. Rent a local industrial unit and fill then struggle to find space for even more machines... ” Moonraker
So this year I have bitten the bullet and took on commercial space. Looking at tomb stoned and de-capitated games everyday and only getting to play one set up at home or when machines were at events was not an ideal situation.
Arcade games are meant to be played after all.
Having commercial space fulfils several objectives
1. To allow work on surplus games (many having been stored for over a decade) and then to decide to keep or sell on. I have already released over a ton of video games although pins are much harder to let go of!
2. Provide storage for surplus games
3. Provide workshop space for these and maybe other peoples games (inpatients)
4. Allow me to set up and actually play my own machines
5. Have easy access for loading for events also makes smaller events more viable
6. To allow others to play these machines
7. Provide a space to immerse ourselves in our favourite pastime.
The sixth point is the tricky one as this aspect means having the correct insurance and basic needs such as toilets and somewhere to chill out etc
These points now addressed enables us to now open to the public. As a lot a games are still a work in progress I have opted for a soft opening (the fanfare of trumpets and parade of circus elephants is on hold). Due to my day job commitments we intend to open initially on Sunday afternoons from 1-7pm . This has been the time we have been spending there working (well playing) already. As a lot of games are a work in progress we are making games available on coin play rather than a flat fee although in the future this may change. All games will be 50p play maximum. To avoid the new £1 coin kafuffle, machines will take 50p coins only and plenty of change will be available. There will be an “A” line of games on coin play and reserve machines available to play on request. As time goes on more reserve machines will be available. I don’t intend to open whilst national events such as PLAY EXPO are on as not only do I attend these events but many of the machines won’t be on the floor. As even some of the newer games need software updates and tweeking I have not yet lent much thought to tourneys and league meets etc but I am sure these will just be a matter of time. As I have 24 hour access to the unit I am not adverse to hiring the space at the evening etc for private events.
Location
Unit 11 Leviss Industrial Estate
Station Rd
Birmingham
B33 3AE
Estate is off the main outer ring road A4040 , entrance is directly opposite McDonalds on Stechford Retail Park. Unit 11 is behind Action Van hire.
Transport
We have ONE dedicated parking space HOWEVER we are opposite Stechford retail park which has amble parking until late evening.
Stechford National Rail is 200 metres away. Buses from Birmingham City Centre (14) and the outer circle (11A 11C) are 20 metres away on the main road.
Catering
A coffee and snack machine are in the pipeline but the unit is literally opposite a McDonalds – in fact it’s the best way to find it. The unit loading bay area doubles as a chill out area with a few sofas chairs and tables.
Our public liability insurance means children under 16 are welcome but must be accompanied at all times. We have a unisex toilet that may not be suitable for all plus we do not have any baby changing facilities. However McDonalds not only serve burgers! The workshop area will be closed off during public opening for health and safety reasons. As with any event , running repairs will be done on games .
Pins on coin play
ACDC PRO
AUSTIN POWERS
DR WHO
FAMILY GUY
GAME OF THRONES PRO
GOLDENYE 007
LORD OF THE RINGS
SIMPSONS PINBALL PARTY
SPIDERMAN
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
THEATRE OF MAGIC
TRON PRO
Reserve pins
BARRACORA
BLACK KNIGHT 2000
CENTAUR
FRANKENSTEIN
JOHNNY MNEMONIC
RADICAL
ROLLER GAMES
STRANGE SCIENCE
WHIRLWIND
Pins under minor repair
BACK TO THE FUTURE
FUNHOUSE
HIGH SPEED
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
SPACE SHUTTLE
TOMMY
WIZARD
Pins under project status
FAR TOO MANY!
PLUS videos
SIMPSONS 4 PLAYER
TURTLES 4 PLAYER
SPACE INVADERS ANNIVERSARY /QIX
DEFENDER
MULTI CAB
TOOTY FRUITY 2p
Machines subject to availability and change.
Best place for updates and information is the FB page
https://www.facebook.com/electriccircusarcade/
“7. Rent a local industrial unit and fill then struggle to find space for even more machines... ” Moonraker
So this year I have bitten the bullet and took on commercial space. Looking at tomb stoned and de-capitated games everyday and only getting to play one set up at home or when machines were at events was not an ideal situation.
Arcade games are meant to be played after all.
Having commercial space fulfils several objectives
1. To allow work on surplus games (many having been stored for over a decade) and then to decide to keep or sell on. I have already released over a ton of video games although pins are much harder to let go of!
2. Provide storage for surplus games
3. Provide workshop space for these and maybe other peoples games (inpatients)
4. Allow me to set up and actually play my own machines
5. Have easy access for loading for events also makes smaller events more viable
6. To allow others to play these machines
7. Provide a space to immerse ourselves in our favourite pastime.
The sixth point is the tricky one as this aspect means having the correct insurance and basic needs such as toilets and somewhere to chill out etc
These points now addressed enables us to now open to the public. As a lot a games are still a work in progress I have opted for a soft opening (the fanfare of trumpets and parade of circus elephants is on hold). Due to my day job commitments we intend to open initially on Sunday afternoons from 1-7pm . This has been the time we have been spending there working (well playing) already. As a lot of games are a work in progress we are making games available on coin play rather than a flat fee although in the future this may change. All games will be 50p play maximum. To avoid the new £1 coin kafuffle, machines will take 50p coins only and plenty of change will be available. There will be an “A” line of games on coin play and reserve machines available to play on request. As time goes on more reserve machines will be available. I don’t intend to open whilst national events such as PLAY EXPO are on as not only do I attend these events but many of the machines won’t be on the floor. As even some of the newer games need software updates and tweeking I have not yet lent much thought to tourneys and league meets etc but I am sure these will just be a matter of time. As I have 24 hour access to the unit I am not adverse to hiring the space at the evening etc for private events.
Location
Unit 11 Leviss Industrial Estate
Station Rd
Birmingham
B33 3AE
Estate is off the main outer ring road A4040 , entrance is directly opposite McDonalds on Stechford Retail Park. Unit 11 is behind Action Van hire.
Transport
We have ONE dedicated parking space HOWEVER we are opposite Stechford retail park which has amble parking until late evening.
Stechford National Rail is 200 metres away. Buses from Birmingham City Centre (14) and the outer circle (11A 11C) are 20 metres away on the main road.
Catering
A coffee and snack machine are in the pipeline but the unit is literally opposite a McDonalds – in fact it’s the best way to find it. The unit loading bay area doubles as a chill out area with a few sofas chairs and tables.
Our public liability insurance means children under 16 are welcome but must be accompanied at all times. We have a unisex toilet that may not be suitable for all plus we do not have any baby changing facilities. However McDonalds not only serve burgers! The workshop area will be closed off during public opening for health and safety reasons. As with any event , running repairs will be done on games .
Pins on coin play
ACDC PRO
AUSTIN POWERS
DR WHO
FAMILY GUY
GAME OF THRONES PRO
GOLDENYE 007
LORD OF THE RINGS
SIMPSONS PINBALL PARTY
SPIDERMAN
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
THEATRE OF MAGIC
TRON PRO
Reserve pins
BARRACORA
BLACK KNIGHT 2000
CENTAUR
FRANKENSTEIN
JOHNNY MNEMONIC
RADICAL
ROLLER GAMES
STRANGE SCIENCE
WHIRLWIND
Pins under minor repair
BACK TO THE FUTURE
FUNHOUSE
HIGH SPEED
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
SPACE SHUTTLE
TOMMY
WIZARD
Pins under project status
FAR TOO MANY!
PLUS videos
SIMPSONS 4 PLAYER
TURTLES 4 PLAYER
SPACE INVADERS ANNIVERSARY /QIX
DEFENDER
MULTI CAB
TOOTY FRUITY 2p
Machines subject to availability and change.
Best place for updates and information is the FB page
https://www.facebook.com/electriccircusarcade/
