A Cwmbran man who was named entrepreneur of the year at the 2024 Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business awards is close to celebrating his shop’s sixth birthday.
Luke Durham, from Croesyceiliog, started Duke’s Gaming in Pontypool in March 2019. He soon grew from a stall in the indoor market to a shop and is now based on Osborne Road.
He told Cwmbran Life: “We opened because we wanted to create a space that was ready for the community. I’ve been in retail now for 25 years and I’ve worked as a manager for Game, worked as a manager for Games Workshop and I’ve worked as a manager for lots of other different types of places.
“But there’s never been anything like what we do. People have tried but I think what we do is really excel at the community aspect of the place.
“We sell bits and bots, you know we’re a shop but all these tables are empty [we met at 1.30pm during a quiet time] and they’re specifically empty for the people to play the games they love to play. It could be something like chess or it could be Warhammer or it could be cards.
“It could be painting, like we’ve Spike at the minute who comes down just to chill and be with his mates. It could be people just having a coffee. That’s the whole point of the shop, it’s an empty space that you fill yourself.
“The back room is piled with scenery, gaming mats, demo games, whatever you want to play. I’ve got a community stand there for board games so people can walk in and grab one.
“It’s a blank canvas for people to enjoy as their own space and that’s all we try and do.
“We’re a hobby shop, through and through so everything we sell is based around our hobby.
“We’re trying to support the kids. We don’t want them to run home and go straight on their Xbox and disappear into the digital world.
“We try and have a little bit of something for everyone, jack of all trades is what we should be called instead of Duke’s Gaming, it’s bonkers.
“When it gets to 5pm and everyone finish work that’s when it just explodes and we get 20 to 30 people in here. It’s pretty awesome to see. It’s a great vibe, really fun.”