Mr P’s Classic Amusements has announced that it will close its venue in Tonbridge with immediate effect following the expiry of its lease on the High Street premises, as the company now looks to “build the brand elsewhere.”
Mr P’s Classic Amusements is to close its venue in the Kent town of Tonbridge this summer following the expiry of its lease on the High Street premises, with plans afoot to “build the brand elsewhere.”
The announcement was made by owners Dave and Amelia Douglas via social media on 19 March, with the couple outlining a number of economic and practical factors that prompted the decision to move on.
“Due to our lease coming to an end in June 2026 we have decided to leave Tonbridge,” said the Douglases. “With much uncertainty surrounding the building and adjacent buildings (possibly being knocked down) we also had many other operational issues in the town, where the town itself is suffering in these economic times.”
“Staffing was always an issue in our Tonbridge site and the arcade seemed to fall short of the true Mr P’s Classic Amusements experience we are renowned for. It is for that reason, with immediate effect we have decided to say a fond farewell to Tonbridge Mr Ps Classic Amusements.”
Despite the closure, the couple confirmed “we will concentrate on our five other sites, and continue to build the brand elsewhere.”
The post was inundated with comments from amusement fans suggesting Mr P’s open a site in various UK towns, including Great Yarmouth, Eastbourne, Brighton, Margate, Cleethorpes, Hastings, Whitstable, and Bexhill, among others.
“Bring one to Skegness/Boston,” said Daz Kyle. “There’s more than enough empty buildings going for lease, and plenty of demand for a classic arcade,” while Dean Mills suggested “somewhere between Herne bay, Southend and Clacton.”
Time over in Tonbridge
Amelia and Dave Douglas said… “With much uncertainty surrounding the building and adjacent buildings (possibly being knocked down) we also had many other operational issues in the town, where the town itself is suffering in these economic times…
