Mr P’s Classic Amusements has delayed the opening of its Portsmouth venue after being let down by its air conditioning supplier, with the operator “devastated” after working hard to meet the 28 June opening date.

The opening of Mr P’s Classic Amusements’ Portsmouth FEC has been postponed, following a series of logistical setbacks – most notably the last-minute collapse of air conditioning installation plans.

The venue, which was originally scheduled to open its doors on 28 June, has had to make the “awful, in fact the worst decision” to delay the launch, after being informed that air conditioning work would not be completed in time.

“On the 23rd the air conditioning system installation was due to commence which we already knew was tight on time but we were assured by the AC company that it was no problem,” explained the operator on social media. “By Tuesday still nobody had shown up … By the afternoon we were told that we would not be having installation until Monday 30th June.”

Additional snags have also hampered preparations, but, ultimately, the decision not to open was made on safety grounds.

It was a tough decision for the dedicated operator, but one reinforced by additional supplier issues. Dave Douglas explained: “The sign writers had started the graphics and come up against an oversight that means no graphics, only partial completion on the internal doors.”

The journey to open their latest arcade highlights the commitment and significant investment in terms of both time and money operators make, especially the smaller-sized arcadians, when they undertake a project that will help regenerate the local high street.

They decided an additional delay would be necesary. “Without the air conditioning is one thing but having to close again after opening is just not something we can do. As it is in here right now with the intense heat it is probably unsafe to work in let alone have leisure time in, so we must put the people first, always,”

The emotional toll on the team behind the project was also laid bare, with Mr P’s describing the preparation of the Portsmouth FEC as a “cruel journey” and “a real hard battle”.

“To get everything outside done, ready and rocking only to be let down breaks us,” concluded the operator. “We are devastated.”

A new opening date has not yet been confirmed, with Mr P’s vowing to wait until the AC is fully installed before making any announcement.