High Score arcade set to open in Poole's Dolphin centre

High Score Arcades will open the doors to its family-friendly offering at the Dolphin shopping centre in Poole on Saturday, May 27, with booking now open.

Floor plans for the scheme show a range of single and multi-player games available, plus party rooms and a kids-only gaming area for those aged seven and under.

Games proposed for the site include those from franchises like Star Wars, Mission Impossible, Mario and Sonic.

Plans also reference the UK’s “largest super screen experience” with guests able to play on a 3.5m by 2m video wall.

At present, High Score Poole will only trade on Fridays (4pm to 8pm), Saturdays and Sundays (10am to 8pm). They will, however, open every day of the week during school/bank holidays.

High Score arcade in Poole's Dolphin centre (Image: High Score)

David Field, founder of Corporate Amusement Services, previously said: “We are looking forward to bringing High Score, a brand-new entertainment centre, to Poole for locals to enjoy.

“Our vision is to provide a safe and fun experience that brings the community together, creating a positive environment and promoting engagement between families and friends.

“Poole will be our fifth site since we launched in 2020, and we are delighted to be a part of the Dolphin’s long-term strategy to future-proof retail in the local community.

“Our offering brings something unique to the town centre and we are delighted to be creating 10 new jobs within the area.”

High Score is an ‘amusement only’ venue which boasts more than 200 titles which are all free to play.

The free-play element means pre-booking is required with pricing at £11.95 per person for 60 minutes of game time. High Score also limits its visitor numbers per session to ensure there are no queues or crowding.

Arcade plans for former Market Gallery site in Poole. (Image: Corporate Amusement Services)

There will be no gambling or prize-giving machines.

High Score Poole is located in the unit previously occupied by the long-standing Market Gallery store, which closed suddenly in January with its owner citing escalating costs.

John Grinnell, centre manager of The Dolphin, said: “Welcoming dynamic family entertainment centre High Score allows us to continue to broaden our unique offering for local residents and the wider county.

“From accessing the NHS outpatient services to having a modern and engaging space to co-work, as well as providing a variety of retailers and food and drink spots, we are curating something really special at The Dolphin which provides an attractive, rounded experience for the whole family.

“High Score has taken the traditional arcade concept to the next level, and we are excited for locals to visit together with friends and family to enjoy this brand-new entertainment centre in Poole.”

Visit highscorearcades.co.uk/poole for more information.