Bristol’s reputation as a centre for the video gaming industry will get a boost later this month when the city’s first gaming market takes place.
The event on June 24 is set to draw around 2,500 fans from across the South West and Wales. 
It is being staged by Replay, the Milton Keynes-based company behind the PLAY Expo retro shows and a number of other gaming markets around the UK.
The firm believes that Bristol as an ideal destination for the event as it has the highest concentration of gaming companies in the South West and the seventh highest in the UK.
The city is also home to studios such as the award-winning Mobile Pie and Reach robotics, the company behind augmented reality game MekaMon, as well as a large number of specialist games stores, board game cafes and video game bars – making it a popular destination for gaming enthusiasts from around the region.
Replay takes place at the Passenger Shed next to Temple Meads railway station.
Replay Events managing director Andy Brown said: “The first ever Bristol Gaming Market is a chance for gaming enthusiasts and collectors from around the region to browse hundreds of tables of video games, tabletop games and merchandise for sale.
“Events such as these can draw visitors from far and wide, with all the positive benefits that brings to the local economy. Following the success of gaming markets in cities including London and Doncaster, this is a chance for us to test out a large signature event like this in Bristol and scope out the potential for more in future.”
Early entry tickets (giving access from 11am) cost £5 and are pre-bookable at www.bristolgamingmarket.com/tickets. Tickets after midday are £2. Children under 14 can enter for free when accompanied by a paying adult after 12pm.
Tickets are available on the door. The event closes at 4pm.
