Reduced anti-social behaviour keeping Geek Retreat in St Helens

As reported back in March, Ian Emery was thinking about moving his Geek Retreat franchise from Bridge Street because constant anti-social behaviour was making his customers feel unsafe.

Ian told the Star that anti-social behaviour occurred outside his shop on an almost daily basis, with gangs of youths congregating in the town centre and verbally abusing his customers, causing criminal damage to his shop window, and even assaulting his employees.

Although Ian had designed the gaming cafe as a safe and inclusive space, the reoccurring incidents began to impact the number of customers coming into the town centre and was affecting his ability to make a profit.

Ian's shop was vandalised by youths in the town centre

However, Ian said that a sustained police presence in the town centre has resulted in a dramatic decrease in anti-social behaviour outside his store.

Ian said: "The police presence has been brilliant since I highlighted the problems earlier in the year - they frequent the store a lot more and it's now a very different story.

"We now see very little problems with youths and although some of our more vulnerable members are still anxious to come back, we are seeing more people feeling safe to come into the town centre again."

Ian opened the store in October 2021

Like all businesses, Ian is currently facing difficulties at Geek Retreat as he tries to manage rising business costs with fewer customers coming in to spend their money.

However, he said that he is grateful that these problems are not accentuated further by the constant anti-social behaviour which was happening just a few months ago.

Wishing the thank the community of St Helens, Ian also noted how their "phenomenal" support was instrumental in keeping him in the town centre and helped to change his mind about leaving the premises.