Visitors to a Suffolk amusement arcade will be able to enjoy new gaming machines as the attraction comes under new operators.
Felixstowe-based Family Amusements, which runs Felixstowe Pier, has taken on the lease for nearby Mannings Amusements in Sea Road.
The firm has carried out a refit of the premises to provide new machines and change the layout by moving machines as well.
Charles Manning, who previously ran the arcade with his brother Johnny, explained the move to lease the amusements would enable him to focus on developing the other parts of his business, including the Beach Street food and retail complex, next to the amusements, and Felixstowe Adventure Golf in Sea Road.
Charles and Johnny Manning (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)
He said: “It facilitates us to develop the site further. We still have the crazy golf managed by us and operated by us. We are looking at the long term with the site development and improving the quality and range of tenants.”
The new arcade operators are set to carry out further refurbishments from November and during the quieter winter months, which will include the installation of new lighting, improvements to the décor and a new frontage and signage.
Meanwhile, Mr Manning said Felixstowe Adventure Golf would also be having a refit in November.
Charles Manning runs the Beach Street complex in Felixstowe (Image: Newsquest)
He wanted to develop Beach Street to provide more space to increase the number of tenants and businesses at the site.
All staff who had been based at the amusements under Mr Manning’s ownership would be keeping their jobs, he said, adding that the arcade would still be effectively staying “in the family” as Stan Threadwell, director of Family Amusements, is a distant cousin.
“The success of Beach Street has been phenomenal and we have got a waiting list and we want to grow that organically without overloading the site,” Mr Manning added.
The arcade will still be called Mannings, but the new owners will be redecorating the entrance with their own brand name.