Fantasia Amusements in Southend: the business sale advertised in 2021

Fancy running a seaside arcade? That was the question behind our November 2021 report on Fantasia Amusements in Southend. The business on Eastern Esplanade was being advertised as a going concern by local agent Dedman Grey.

The particulars quoted a guide price of £195,000 and said the landlords were expected to grant a new 21-year lease. This was an advertised business opportunity at the time, not a sale of the freehold building or a current asking price.

The listing described roughly 6,100 square feet on a prominent corner, with most of the space used for machines and customers moving around the arcade. Toilets, stores and offices were at the rear, alongside service access for deliveries.

Modern and classic machines were both mentioned in the sales description. The business was said to be operating under management, with four full-time staff. Those details gave prospective buyers a better picture of the operation than the guide price alone.

The original story invited readers to imagine what they would do with an arcade of their own. The practical reality, of course, would involve the lease, equipment, staff and day-to-day operation as well as choosing a favourite machine line-up.

This is the listing reported on 15 November 2021. It does not indicate that Fantasia is currently for sale, and the historic figures should not be treated as present-day terms.