THE devastated owner of the first dedicated console gaming centre is mourning the decline of High Street trade as he prepares to close his business after 11 years.

Arthur Tolmie broke new ground when he started Xtreme Gaming in Colchester High Street alongside his brother more than a decade ago.

The business, focused on giving gamers the opportunity to enjoy the latest games in a friendly environment, was the first such endeavour in the country and it proved hugely successful.

But when it came to renewing the lease this year, Mr Tolmie said it was decided to close.

He said: “We have come to the end of our lease.

"We had the opportunity to renew but the way prices are in terms of rent and rates, and the state of the High Street, we made the difficult decision to not go ahead.

“It is a real shame, we wish there was some way we could gift the unit to the council to carry on what we offer but there seems to be no real interest from the local authority to support it.

“There is a small team of three of us running the show for the past 11 years.

“Personally I am absolutely gutted, heartbroken to be leaving.

“We have seen kids come in who are 14 and are now grown up with jobs in the industry – some well-known names in eSports as well.

“We have had marriage proposals, stag do’s and hen parties.

“I will say this, and a lot of independent traders agree, the High Street has massively declined.

“For us a lot of it is now chain restaurants coming in, there is more begging and homelessness.

“When there was a stabbing recently, we had the guy out the front waving a knife around.

“We have had kids running amok on the roof, throwing things off.

"It shows there is no level of control around this town.”

Xtreme Gaming will close its doors for good on Saturday, March 24.