Retro arcade to shut at end of the month

Highest Score Arcade has a collection of classic retro arcade games

An arcade with retro games and pinball machines will close at the end of September, with the owner saying "on a financial basis, it just hasn't worked".

The Highest Score Arcade in the Cross Keys shopping centre in Salisbury was started just over a year ago by James Petherick, who wanted to revive interest in the classic games.

"I've spent a year trying to revive the enthusiasm in pinball machines that was definitely there in the 70s, 80s and 90s," he said.

An earlier community appeal to save the arcade raised £3,000, which kept it going through the summer.

Mr Petherick said he will likely sell the larger games

The arcade has struggled with high costs, including energy bills, and low footfall.

"I'm going to have to sell the larger items in the arcade. The pinball machines I will probably take back home, find some space for them," Mr Petherick said.

"I'm sad - I'm sad I'm doing it."