arcades

WINNING EXPERIENCES

Posted on May 6, 2026

TURNING RAINY DAYS into revenue opportunities across UK holiday parks.

How redemption arcades are transforming guest engagement across UK holiday destinations...

In today’s competitive hospitality and leisure industry, operators are under increasing pressure to boost guest satisfaction, extend dwell time and maximise on-site spend. One of the most effective—and often underestimated—solutions is the provision of high-quality indoor entertainment.

As the UK climate continues to deliver its fair share of unpredictability, the ability to offer engaging, all-weather attractions is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. For owners and managers of holiday parks, caravan parks, camping and glamping sites, indoor entertainment serves as a vital pillar of year-round appeal.

Families are no longer satisfied with seasonal offerings alone; they expect consistent, memorable experiences regardless of the weather. Rainy afternoons and cooler evenings present an opportunity rather than a challenge—an opportunity to draw guests into vibrant indoor spaces filled with laughter, excitement and nostalgia.

At the heart of this indoor entertainment renaissance lies the enduring charm of arcade amusements. From the unmistakable sound of coins cascading through machines to the anticipation of tickets spilling out after a winning game, arcades continue to captivate all generations.

AN ARCADE HUB where multi-generational guests make lasting memories.

In particular, nostalgic coin pushers have seen a remarkable resurgence, appealing not only to children discovering them for the first time, but also to parents and grandparents reliving fond memories of seaside holidays. Coin pushers offer a simple yet highly engaging gameplay experience.

The tactile nature of inserting coins, timing the drop and watching the gradual build-up towards a potential win creates a sense of suspense that digital-only entertainment often struggles to replicate. For operators, these machines deliver strong and consistent returns, while requiring minimal supervision—making them a smart investment for busy holiday environments.

Complementing coin pushers is the ever-popular redemption arcade model, where gameplay is rewarded with tickets that can be exchanged for prizes. This format taps into a powerful psychological driver: the pursuit of a tangible reward. Whether it’s a small toy, a novelty item or a larger aspirational prize, the ticket system encourages repeat play, longer stays and increased spend per visit.

Crucially, it also creates a shared family experience, as children and adults alike collaborate—or compete—to accumulate tickets. A well-designed arcade space can quickly become a focal point of any holiday park. Bright lighting, engaging soundscapes and a mix of classic and modern machines create an atmosphere that draws guests in and keeps them entertained for hours.

WHERE FRIENDLY COMPETITION meets unforgettable holiday experiences.

Importantly, it also provides a reliable indoor option that operators can promote during off-peak seasons, helping to stabilise revenue throughout the year. Supporting operators in delivering these experiences is UK Amusement Supplies, a trusted name within the industry. With more than 15 years of experience, the company has established itself as one of the leading suppliers of redemption tickets across the UK and Europe, alongside innovative solutions designed to streamline and enhance arcade operations.

“Eyes on the prize” perfectly encapsulates the role that redemption systems play in modern amusement environments. From high-quality tickets to intuitive software, UK Amusement Supplies provides a comprehensive range of products tailored to the needs of operators of all sizes. Their expertise, shaped by working with some of Europe’s largest family entertainment centres, ensures that clients benefit from both reliability and value.

The company’s redemption tickets are produced to the highest standards, featuring double-sided designs, barcoding and sequential numbering. Manufactured using high-quality paper and offering excellent print resolution, these tickets are built for durability and performance in high-traffic environments.

Operators can choose from a wide range of generic designs held in stock for rapid delivery, or opt for custom-designed tickets that reflect their brand identity—an option that comes with no set-up costs when minimum order quantities are met. Beyond tickets, UK Amusement Supplies continues to innovate with products such as the popular “Ticket Monster Ticket Eater.”

HIGH-QUALITY redemption tickets designed for performance and durability.

This eye-catching machine transforms the simple act of counting tickets into an engaging experience in its own right, with high-definition animations and vibrant colours capturing the attention of players. Its success has led many operators to upgrade older machines, with a new model already anticipated for Autumn 2026.

Equally significant is the company’s free prize-shop software, a practical solution designed to bring greater control and efficiency to redemption operations. Easy to use and cost-effective, it enables operators to enhance security, track performance and manage inventory without the need for complex or expensive systems.

For many sites, this software has become an essential tool in maximising the profitability of their arcade offering. Ultimately, the integration of nostalgic coin pushers, ticket-based redemption games and modern support systems creates a compelling indoor entertainment proposition. For holiday park operators, the benefits are clear: increased guest satisfaction, stronger secondary spend and a more resilient business model that performs across all seasons.

As the expectations of holidaymakers continue to evolve, those who invest in engaging indoor experiences will be best positioned to stand out in a crowded market. By combining the timeless appeal of arcade fun with the expertise and products offered by industry specialists like UK Amusement Supplies, operators can ensure that their guests remain entertained, whatever the weather—and keep them coming back year after year.

UK Amusement Supplies
01253 868 868
www.ukamusementsupplies.co.uk

TALACRE BEACH RESORT CELEBRATES 60TH

Posted on May 5, 2025

A JEWEL IN THE CROWN of a national holiday operator is celebrating its diamond anniversary.

Darwin Escapes’ Talacre Beach Resort is marking its 60th anniversary with a £1 million redevelopment, reinforcing its status as a premier holiday destination on the North Wales coast. The 44-acre park in Flintshire, home to more than 450 caravans and lodges, continues to attract thousands of visitors each year.

The investment has enhanced the park’s clubhouse, accommodation, and leisure facilities, including a new games area and children’s playground. Sales Manager Chris Williams, who joined the resort in 2004, has witnessed its transformation first-hand.

“Talacre Beach Resort has been a beloved getaway since the 1960s, especially for visitors from the Midlands and North of England,” said Chris. “Many of our owners have been here for generations, which speaks volumes about the community and the quality of our offering.” The resort has defied post-pandemic trends with a strong influx of new owners.

Nearby attractions such as the historic Point of Ayr lighthouse, RSPB nature reserve, and local cafes and arcades add to its appeal. “The stunning beach, fresh sea air, and peaceful surroundings provide the perfect escape,” Chris added.

“We’ve built trust with our owners, many of whom upgrade their holiday homes over time, growing with us.” With a tropical swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, bar, restaurant, and packed events calendar, Talacre Beach Resort continues to thrive.

Just a Penny More…

Posted on March 7, 2017

Just a Penny More...

A holiday experience wouldn’t be complete without trying your luck on the prize crane or the coin tipping machine. In fact, the arcade has been a staple attraction of the Great British seaside holiday since the early 1900’s. Part of the Bourne Leisure group, Haven currently operates 37 arcades at its parks across the UK and has seen a shift from traditional arcades moving to all-encompassing family entertainment centres. “Our guest feedback indicates that arcades are a valued part of the holiday offering.

Arcades have long been and are still very much part of the seaside family holiday.

I wouldn’t suggest that anyone books a holiday based purely on the arcade offering, as we have seen a focus towards our Nature Rockz activities, but it is a very wellused facility and part of the overall holiday experience,” says Kevin Scott, Head of Arcades at Bourne Leisure. “The arcades are now environments where families can play together and often we include other family products such as soft play.” Redemption games, where the player is rewarded proportionally to their score, are Haven’s most popular arcade games, closely followed by cranes and coin pushers.

 

“We have expanded the redemption and prize offers at the expense of the gaming element of the business. A very high proportion of our games offer has a prize element which is very well received by both the holiday makers and our owners,” reveals Kevin. He adds: “Arcades have long been and are still very much part of the seaside family holiday and there is no indication to suggest that this will change in the near future.” Before investing in arcade games and equipment, it is advisable to seek advice from a reputable dealer or manufacturer, who offers a warranty and will give you fast and efficient after-sales care and service for the entire life of the equipment.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL  “Too many park owners become totally disillusioned by a particular attraction that has failed in the past and this fazes their judgement for ever buying anything similar ever again - all because they were badly advised in the very beginning,” comments David Robinson of World of Rides. He continues: “Never buy any rides or equipment based on the lowest price, as every month we receive at least one sad story of cheap failed equipment at peak times of the season, which has resulted in lost income, and more importantly, disappointment and lost customer satisfaction.”

World of Rides is a leading UK manufacturer of battery operated land and water-based leisure rides. The company’s three biggest selling rides for 2017 so far are the fully operational Driving School Car, which has all the same controls as any normal road car, the glow in the dark Future Bike, which has under-LED lighting, and the new Baby Beetle Car for smaller children. “Our entire 12v/24v range of rides are becoming very much more popular with holiday park owners, partly due to the fact that they are nearly all able to carry either two children or a parent and child, but also because they all run without any noise, air or water pollution,” says David. “With trade prices starting at only £2,750 each, they still remain the highest earning children’s rides, due to them being fully directional and interactive with the riders.” According to David, really good rides and amusements will normally achieve full return on investment a number of times over in any one season, providing that they are operated correctly and looked after.

LIFE SPAN  “All modern EEC and UK made rides have a long life expectancy, but in order to keep guests and visitors coming back every year, and incomes retained at their maximum, the rides should ideally be run on a rolling five-year-plan, with at least one new ride attraction being added to the park every year,” says David. “After that, each ride should be subsequently downgraded or replaced after year five, depending on its continued income potential and key position in the park,” he adds. For holiday parks that choose to hire their arcade equipment, it is advisable to work with fully vetted and experienced operators who use up-to-date rides that are tested and documented using H.S.E.-ADIPS safety testing every year. It is also important to check that the operator can show documentary evidence of themselves being fully insured for Public Liability for a minimum £10,000,000, in the event of any incident.

INSURANCE MATTERS  Another key consideration is to ensure that your arcade equipment is covered by a suitable insurance policy. According to Compass Insurance, the key message when it comes to rides and machines - whether they are relatively simple coin-operated equipment or larger, more complex facilities - is to have a conversation with your insurer or broker before you go ahead and sign a hire agreement or make a purchase. “Park owners and managers should be aware that your insurer or broker may decline cover,” advises Chris Jones, Retail Underwriting Manager at Thistle Insurance Services. “An increase in premium could otherwise apply – and in the worst case scenario this could make the rides or machines commercially unviable. It’s always best to have the conversation up front.”

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The Fun Factor

Posted on March 29, 2016

The Fun Factor

For many holidaymakers, the lure of an arcade is an essential item on the wish list, providing hours of entertainment for the whole family.

For the park operator, selecting the right balance of amusements, games and gaming machines can be a precarious balancing act between customer satisfaction and maximum return on investment while still delivering the fun factor that keeps the visitors coming back time and time again. Historically, the first popular arcade attractions were early games such as shooting galleries, ball toss games and early coin-operated machines, such as fortune tellers and strength testers. More modern gaming has been led by the popularity of online games and casino games. Penny fall coin pushers have been Crown Direct’s bestselling lines in recent years and 2015 was no exception with The Simpsons-themed Donut Daze machine, which was the company’s the most popular product of the year.

“It’s not a case of games having a fixed shelf life, but you should always have something new every season for holiday makers to play, advises Dean Harding, managing director at Crown Direct. Many come back to the park every year, so you need to keep the offer fresh.”

Crown Direct is a leading UK supplier of all types of coin operated equipment, as well as operating third party arcades and owning a number of their own. The Wigan-based company supplies equipment to holiday parks and family amusement arcades across the UK and Eire. Supply can be by way of outright purchase, rental or they can operate your arcade for you on an income share basis.

“There is merit in both rental and purchase and it really comes down to the holiday parks view on capital expenditure and appetite,” explains Dean. “We have large and small holiday park customers that are complete opposites in their approach to their amusement requirements. Some buy, some hire, and some lease the arcade space to an operator. Also, if customers thinking of buying there are some good second hand games available offering great value for money.”

Dean stresses the importance of keeping all arcade equipment in full working order and advises his customers to consult their suppliers if anything goes wrong: “Arcade games can go wrong and break down - coins get into all sort of places in a machine. Seeking technical expertise is essential as maintenance and repairs are a skill.”

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