Harbour Amusements in West Bay, Dorset, has been put up for sale by owner Dean Moore with a guide price of £895,000.
It’s a decision the evergreen operator has made reluctantly, but “I want to do some living whilst I’m young!” he told CoInslot.
The energetic Moore was pretty upbeat about his decision. “It’s a fabulous arcade in a great location – we’ve had such good times here. It’s a major stop for visitors to the town and a great business opportunity,” he explained. “But there are things we want to do. We’d like to travel for a start and spend some time relaxing.”
And he’s not wrong about the Harbour Amusements offering. The arcade is very popular, although being the only one in the area certainly adds to its destination appeal.
The entire property is now being marketed with an impressive listing.
The Green/16B The Old Customs House, part of a building with historic links to the former Customs House, occupies a prominent position by close to the harbour. The three-storey semi-detached property combines a ground-floor commercial unit with a three-bedroom maisonette above. The location provides direct access to local amenities and views across the coast and river, with parking for two vehicles at the rear.
The arcade currently consists of four large rooms, where Harbour Amusements – the only FEC in West Bay – has entertained customers for many years.
The maisonette is arranged over the first and second floors and includes a large lounge with open fireplace, conservatory and balcony, kitchen-dining area, three double bedrooms and a bathroom. And West Bay has a definite allure: situated on the Jurassic Coast and close to Bridport, it supports a mix of independent businesses, leisure activities, and seasonal events.
Moore, who acquired the arcade 15 years from the Parkin family, recognises it’s the end of an era, but is surprisingly upbeat. “It might be the end of our era here, but it’s going to be the beginning of a new one for Harbour Amusements and the new people taking it over. This is a great arcade in a great place.”
