RETRO-gaming fans in Somerset will soon have a new haunt after plans were approved for a new retro arcade in Taunton town centre.

Austin Wood owns Continue Arcades in Plymouth, which teased proposals in September for expanding its operations into vacant retail units at 36-38 East Street in Taunton.

Mr Wood submitted plans for the facility in mid-October, which would see the ground floor of the unit completely transformed

Somerset Council has now given these plans the green light, meaning the new facility could be open for business before Christmas.

Continue Arcades’ new site will operate on the same “free play” basis as its Plymouth base, with punters paying £12 to enter the arcade and then playing on the games with “no time limits, restrictions, or additional costs”.

The facility is intended to be “a popular option for families, teens, date night couples and those looking for a bit of nostalgia”, and is expected to be open daily between 11:30am and 11pm daily (except for Sundays, when it will open between 11am and 9pm).

A spokesman for James Wells Planning (representing the applicant) said: “The change of use is proposed, covering the ground floor, to enable video gaming uses with an ancillary bar serving drinks.

“The proposal will bring a new entertainment use to a vacant unit in a prominent position within the town centre.

“This type of use aims to diversify the role of the town centre in being a destination for leisure activities.”

Mr Wood has not confirmed how many new jobs will be created as a result of this new facility coming to Taunton.

The council approved the plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee west (which handles major applications in the former Somerset West and Taunton area).

A spokesman said: “It is considered that the loss of retail floorspace in this marginal area would not have a significant impact on the town’s key shopping area.

“The introduction of an active street frontage is welcomed in this currently empty unit, which has remained vacant for a long time.”