Fans have said why they think specialist games shop Eclectic Games, which has been operating in Reading since 2006, should win the new Independent Retailer of the Year award.
Comments praised “welcoming and knowledgeable staff, wide variety of hosted events, and a unique business for Reading that’s involved in the hobby community.”
It is a “really great shop that fosters a lovely community and has great helpful staff.
“When I first came to Reading, it was through Eclectic Games that I found all my local friends.”
Eclectic Games hosts events almost every night, with people coming in from around Reading and the surrounding towns to play games and socialise.
“The staff and patrons are all super welcoming and accommodating. It has links to a bunch of local gaming and social groups, and helps and encourages people to connect to them.”
The shop, in Union Street, Reading’s well-known Smelly Alley, is the main reason some go into town.
“They also helped me with my own game design ideas by providing the space and advertising to get people to come to my “event”, which wouldn’t have been much of an event at all without Eclectic Games.
“This store offers something that can’t be found in Reading. A great selection of independent games and gaming products. I and many of my friends visit here weekly and it’s opened up so many new games and fun for me, my friends and my children.
“The gaming room availability also adds value to the town. Not many places offer such a good range of service, products and experience.”
The Independent shop organises weekly card game tournaments and fosters communities built around them it was said.
“The board game nights (on Mondays and Fridays) are fantastic – not many places where you can have a whole evening’s entertainment for £5. To top it all off, their ‘all welcome’ once-a-month Saturdays are completely free and attract a much more diverse crowd, not just salty regulars like us.
“You only have to spend 10 minutes in the shop (as I frequently do) to realise they care about their customers and have a genuine passion for what they do.
“They’re a fantastic retailer in their niche, and they support the community wonderfully.”
The Independent Retailer of the Year award, which is new for the Pride of Reading Awards 20th anniversary, is sponsored by Reading Today.
It recognises and awards independent retailers in Reading who are at the heart of their community providing exceptional customer service and promoting the essential work of small businesses within our town.
Know a great independent retailer? Get your nominations in now. Go to porawards.co.uk
