GAMERS in Taunton could soon be button mashing at a new retro gaming lounge.

Continue Arcades Ltd have applied to change the use of a vacant property on Taunton’s East Street (36-38) to bring a different kind of entertainment venue to the town.

The plans would see the construction of an area to enable video games to be played from 11am until 11pm daily, complete with a bar, the application said.

Continue Arcades already has an arcade in Plymouth which, for £12, allows gamers to ‘free play’ all day on a selection of different classic games – including Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Star Wars Trilogy Arcade, Time Crisis 5 and much more.

The Plymouth premises has over 40 machines with six retro consoles, pool, shuffleboard and air hockey – with over 100 “button mashing” stations available.

“The proposal will bring a new entertainment use to a vacant unit in a prominent position within the city centre,” the agent James Well Planning said in the application.

“This type of use aims to diversify the role of the city centre in being a destination for leisure activities.”

It added: “This use would have a closing time of 11pm at the latest and most evenings is at 9pm.

“Whilst alcohol is sold, this is not a pub type use and there will be no anti-social behaviour associated with the gaming activities.”

The site proposed for the change in use previously used to house Suite Dreams before its closure in May 2023.

To view and comment on the plans, visit somerset.gov.uk and search planning reference