Darwen: Couple are 'backing the high street' by opening new retro games store

Leona and Matt Warburton launched ‘Go Go Games Ltd’ during lockdown whilst still holding down full-time jobs.

But the success of their small venture has led to Leona giving up her job as an admin manager to run the shop in Duckworth Street.

Go Go Games sells an array of new and used consoles, video games, board games, trading cards, toys and accessories.

Matt said: “I was always interested in games and our home was full of items.

"So one day we decided we could share our love for our collection with others.

“We started the online shop in November 2020. It went so well that we launched a physical shop in Darwen in October 2021.

“Since then we have both been opening the shop at the weekends only as we were continuing in our full time jobs.

“We have now taken the decision to open the shop full time as we really believe in the high street and independent shops are the way forward.”

The couple who are collectors themselves said they were always trying to give customers the "best possible value for money" on all items they sold.

Matt, 32, who grew up in nearby Bolton, said: “I was always interested in gaming from a very young age.

“Pokemon cards are still very popular with customers as are retro games.

“We only do new products and we have everything from controllers to action figures.

“There are also firm family favourites such as Monopoly and Hungry Hippo. You would be surprised as the amount of interest these games still have with people.

“There are few independent toy shops like this in the area so it is good to be able to doing something that is supporting the local community and fans of games at the same time.”