Ipswich retro gaming arcade Blast From The Past relocates to Northgate Street from Carr Street Microshops

A popular Ipswich retro gaming arcade which allows a new generation to experience classics from the past four decades has moved into a new home.

Blast From The Past, previously based out of the Microshops in Carr Street, relaunched at 2-4 Northgate Street, next door to Audrey’s Café.

Owner Allister Frost, 45, said the new premises will allow five times the number of people to get stuck into his collection, which includes retro consoles, old computers and sizable collections of VHS tapes, books and comics.

Its relaunch yesterday fell shortly after its first anniversary, having originally opened at Felixstowe’s Beach Street on August 28 last year.

“There are no limits here,” Allister said. “I’m more than happy to open at any time of the day if someone wants to game and they’re willing to pay for it.”

Regarding his journey to get to this point, Allister said: “It’s been great so far, starting off at zero members in Felixstowe. We’ve now welcomed more than 1,000 people through the door.

“My key hopes for the new space are to offer more for customers and continue to grow membership and the business.”

New additions to Blast From The Past include a ‘maker space’, allowing people to create things using electronics, take part in repair sessions or learn to program.

Allister also plans to host workshops for adults and children and rent out office space to co-workers.

The new premises, more than four times larger than the space in Microshops, is split into three sections, the makers space, known as STEAM Deck, a gaming lounge and an arcade designed for LAN parties and space for co-workers.

Blast From The Past primarily operates on a members-only basis, but Allister does accept walk-ins, either through bookings or anyone coming in from Audrey’s Café.

However, he said he is planning open days to entice new gamers.

Allister, who worked in IT for 30 years including a stint at Microsoft, believed the arcade would offer a kick of nostalgia to veteran gamers, while allowing younger people to try their hand at some of the greatest hits.

Allister’s collection includes old games consoles and computers, such as Atari 2600, Sega Mega Drives, PlayStation Ones, Nintendo 64, ZX Spectrum and more.

Rarer items include a Race Drivin’ arcade machine, which he restored himself in 2008, alongside a retro 1969 television.

Allister said the new space has also allowed him to offer more than 1,000 games to anyone walking through the door.

However, his collection spans more than 10,000 titles, which can be brought out of storage on demand.

Allister moved the business from Felixstowe to Ipswich in April.

He added: “I’m here all the time, so I’m cool with people showing up whenever they want.

“It’s a great atmosphere, people come to chill out, have a chat and have a good time with friends – it’s good for their mental health.

“Not only is this space so much bigger, but we’re in an area with other ‘nerdy’ shops, such as Geek Retreat, Langden Games, The Nerd Hut and Retro Realm.”