Digger:
What is your background and Alexander's?
Olivia: Alexander’s family has been at the forefront of
the games industry since 1962. It is thanks to this legacy
that we established The Games Room Company about 6 years
ago. Alexander brings generations of gaming expertise to the
business, while my Interior Design background allows us to
offer a service to create a truly bespoke room in terms of
use of space, lighting, furniture, artwork and everything
in-between.
Digger:
Can you tell us how The Games Room Company started and how
the company has evolved into what it is today?
Olivia: As a result of establishing good relations with
American forces during the Second World War, Alexander’s
father was one of the first to import vinyl jukeboxes and
one-armed bandits for British pubs in 1962. Soon after, his
father began making his own machines in the workshops of an
old Chertsey sail factory, which are still in operation
today. When Alexander took the reins, he saw an opportunity
to retail these wonderful vintage pieces to an eager market.
With the addition of an interior design service, The Games
Room Company was born in its latest incarnation to provide a
more holistic offering, from tailor made products to
professional installation, design and maintenance.
Digger:
Why is retro and nostalgia so popular in so many people's
lives and why are retro games and paraphernalia so sought
after?
Olivia: Escapism – not only do people enjoy being
transported to an era when they were young and carefree, but
they revel in the idea of a simpler, less complicated time.
For games, it also about quality. Many of our vintage pieces
are over 60 years young and still going strong. With the
current trend for quality British-made products increasing,
customers are excited to see desirable home grown objects
that still work.
Digger:
You offer Jukes, Coke machines, Pinball, Arcade machines and
many others. What are your best sellers?
Olivia: The Coca-Cola Machines and Jukeboxes are our
bestsellers, while the pinball tables are also very popular.
However, we get the most comments on the vintage arcade
machines as everybody remembers playing on one when they
were teenagers - except the younger generation who haven’t
a clue what they are and can’t believe a game of Space
Invaders can be so big!
Digger:
What advice would you give to somebody looking to buy from
you?
Olivia: When it comes to buying vintage, you get what you
pay for. We go above and beyond to restore machines to an
extremely high standard, taking pride in stripping down
every part before putting it back together again. Hundreds
of man hours ensure every game can continue to be enjoyed
for years to come.
At The Games Room Company we are passionate about customer
service, before and after a purchase, offering an on-site
parts and labour warranty on all of our items. We want our
customers to be happy, and stay happy.
Digger:
What are your USP's that make you stand out?
Olivia: We are a family run business where no job is too big
or too small. We treat every customer the same, whether they
are buying a jellybean machine, a vintage jukebox or
commissioning an entire room with tailor-made games. We have
an extensive Surrey showroom and workshop where customers
can see, feel and hear the products we sell. We also offer
an on-site parts and labour warranty on everything sold as
standard. We can deliver anywhere in the world and all
deliveries are carried out by our own qualified in-house
installers. We also offer interior design, a personal
product sourcing service and restoration of vintage
machines.
Digger:
What customer feedback do you get?
Olivia: Customers are impressed and encouraged by our
attention to detail. We are very lucky to get so many
recommendations from existing clients. We are told we are a
friendly bunch and fun to deal with, which surely is
important for a games company. Our installers are highly
praised for respecting people’s homes and offices, and
managing to stay calm and professional during some of the
trickiest installations.
Digger: What are the best aspects of running The Games Room
Company?
Olivia: We are very lucky to have such a good, close-knit
professional team at The Games Room Company. Everyone gets
on really well, and we have a great time selling fun
products that are guaranteed to make everyone smile.
Digger: What does The Internet mean to The Games Room
Company's business?
Olivia:
The Internet is incredibly important, allowing us to reach
out to a much larger global customer base. However, the only
downside is you cannot touch and feel the products.
Digger: What are your plans for the future for The Games
Room Company?
Olivia:
We are currently refurbishing our showroom in Surrey which
is a big project that will keep us busy for a while. Watch
this space!
Jukeboxes,
Arcade Games, Pool Tables, Snooker & Billiard Tables,
Bar Billiards, Table Games, Interiors, Finishing touches,
Vintage Coca-Cola Machines, Furniture, Lighting, Vintage
Pinball Back Glasses, Jelly Bean Machines, Popcorn Maker
Machine, Paintings, Mirrors, Pictures, Mirror Framed Prints,
LED & Fibre Optic Pictures, Home Cinema, Cinema Seats,
Popcorn Machine, Vintage
The Games Room Company is a family run business, established
in 1962. The company is run by husband and wife team,
Alexander and Olivia Walder-Smith, ably assisted by John Cox
in the showroom and the rest of The Games Room Company team
behind the scenes. Alexander took over the reins from his
father 20 years ago and his wife Olivia, a professionally
trained Interior Designer, runs the creative design side of
the business, as well as her own design practice.
Need some more information? Call us now on 01932 568414
The
Games Room Company
32 London Street
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 8AB
www:
The
Games Room Company
