High street gaming specialist Geek Retreat has announced plans to create 600 new retail jobs in the UK, according to Employment for Students.
The company, which sells board games, toys and comics, says it will open 100 new stores before the end of 2022 and will create an average of six vacancies with each new branch.
The announcement represents a huge expansion plan and recruitment drive since Geek Retreat, founded seven years ago, only trades from 14 stores and currently employs just over 100 staff.
The next cities earmarked to open branches of Geek Retreat are Bournemouth and Liverpool. For a list of branches, click here.
In addition to retail space, Geek Retreat stores also feature cafes and areas where customers can play games and take part in events, such as tournaments and quizzes.
Chief executive of Geek Retreat, Peter Dobson, said: “The UK’s gaming and hobby sector is a real success story and Geek Retreat is a home for the communities who are at the heart of this phenomenon.”
“We have made sure all of our stores are welcoming and accessible to gamers whatever their interests, providing a place for our loyal customers to get out of the house and play safely post-lockdown,” said Dobson.
“This is particularly important for our more vulnerable customers, like those on the autistic spectrum, or with mental health issues where being in an inclusive, welcoming, and social environment is very important. It is the strength of the relationships which our stores build with local communities that is a key driver of growth,” said Dobson, according to the news report.