Blackpool's growing tabletop gaming scene booming as adults spend big on play in £1.2bn market
“For plenty of adults, this is where they choose to spend their spare time and their disposable income.”
Blackpool's tabletop gaming scene is expanding beyond the home, with a board-game café and a specialist roleplaying shop catering for growing numbers of adults embracing the hobby.
On Topping Street, Mug Life Crisis combines a late-night coffee shop with a dedicated board-game café, offering customers access to a library of more than 70 games. Visitors can walk in without booking or bring their own games to play. The business was incorporated in March 2025 and has since established itself in the town centre.
Meanwhile, Dungeonland, based on Amy Johnson Way, stocks more than 6,000 products, including roleplaying games, dice, miniatures and related hobbies. The independent retailer operates both a physical shop and an online store. The businesses reflect a wider trend towards adult spending on leisure products.
Research by Circana found the UK's 12-plus toy market grew by five per cent in the 12 months to June 2025, reaching £1.2bn. Adults accounted for 31 per cent of total toy spending, while 43 per cent had bought a toy for themselves or another adult by July 2025.
That adult hobby market is now starting to shape Christmas products too. Specialist publication Tabletop Gaming has opened pre-orders for a £250 Advent calendar aimed at board-game fans, roleplaying gamers, miniature painters and wargamers.
Matt Chapman, Editor of Tabletop Gaming Magazine said:“Places like Blackpool show how broad tabletop gaming has become. You’ve got people meeting over board games in a café, while others are collecting RPG books, miniatures and everything that goes with those hobbies.
“For plenty of adults, this is where they choose to spend their spare time and their disposable income. It isn’t something that only comes out of the cupboard at Christmas. What is changing is the range of products built around those interests. Advent calendars have become much more specific to people’s hobbies, and tabletop gaming is now part of that.”