Geek Retreat Ipswich celebrates third birthday with revamped rooms and special events

The big picture: The games cafe has become a cherished community space, offering a safe and inclusive space for gaming enthusiasts of all ages, genders, sexualities and religions. To celebrate its third birthday, it's created a themed room that nods to its past as the Coach and Horses tavern, which opened in the 1730s.

What's new:

• The Dragon Room now features antique furniture, Ipswich flagons, and Coach and Horses decorations.

• The Marvel Games Room has been redecorated for a more intimate gaming experience.

• Both spaces can be booked for free, with the booking fee returned as credit for food, drink, or merchandise.

What they're saying:

• Owner Sharon Lockhart said: "What drives us and has made us so successful is our amazing customers. It is a place where you can 'find your tribe' and we have seen this happen almost every day!"

• Manager Gary Scarboro added: "If people want a safe space to meet - then just get in touch! It's always great to see such an inclusive customer base. Our youngest customer was 4 days old and our oldest was 96!"

• Customer Emma: "Having two children that find being social difficult, there is always something there for them to interact with! The cafe provides them with a space to be themselves."

• Another customer who suffers from mental health challenges said: "Geek [Retreat] has helped me want to leave my house and socialise a lot more. I've also made amazing friends and met amazing people that I want in my life forever."

Between the lines: Geek Retreat hosts a variety of events, including trading card game nights, Dungeons and Dragons sessions, and activities for families and local charities.

Recognition: The cafe was a finalist in both the BBC Make a Difference Awards and this year's EADT Business Awards for Customer Excellence.

Upcoming events: Special events will be held throughout the week and during half term:

• 26 October, 13:00-16:00: Free Cosplay and Halloween event

• 26 October, 19:00-23:00: Halloween Birthday Bash (18+) hosted by local DJ "The Pink Mechanic"

The bottom line: Geek Retreat has quickly become more than just a games cafe – it's a vital community space where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, play, and feel accepted. Here's to the next three years!

For more information, visit their website: https://www.ipswichgeek.com/