Seldons Saltburn Pier Amusements co-manager Ben Oughton is ready for a stellar summer this year, telling Teesside Live that running the arcade during peak season is “absolutely mega,” thanks to a good team, strong community, and the best swag.

The co-manager of Seldons Saltburn Pier Amusements has told Yorkshire Live that the arcade is ready for a “mega” summer this year, with visitors to the resort always eager to make the most of the town’s seaside attractions during sunny weather.

Ben Oughton, whose wife Chelsie is part of the Seldon family, has worked at the arcade for just over a year, and has already built a strong connection with local residents, as well as a keen understanding of the amusement and leisure business.

“We’ve got a good team,” said Oughton. “It’s a lovely beach, a lovely area.”

“On days when the sun’s out and the kids are off school, it’s absolutely mega. It gets busy, to the point where you struggle to walk round the arcade. If something is happening outside the front door, sometimes it’s easier to go around the back.”

One key to the continued popularity is the choice of swag for the machines, with Oughton noting: “You’ve just got to have the right teddies and prizes in them at the right times.”

“We tend to follow the movie and game premieres so it’s all recognisable… You’ve got to keep up with the trends.”

“We work as hard as we can to make sure the machines are up to date. We have prizes that will suit everyone and people can come and enjoy it.”

That said, Oughton acknowledged that not everyone who visits is welcome, adding “sometimes people come here to mess about. Teenagers pinching basketballs… being general little pains. You just have to throw them out, usually.”