Operation: Arcade Cafe!

"A comic and video-game arcade in Liverpool? Yes please." - Mark Millar, writer of Kick Ass

My name is Lucy, 2 years ago I opened a retro video game and comic book shop situated in the new Quiggins in Liverpool, an alternative shopping centre, where I work on average, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Level UP started with half empty shelves filled only with my own personal collection but has since required two moves into larger premisis to account for growing stock and popularity.  

The next step in my dream is to move onto the high street and open a much larger shop which continues to offer a wide selection of retro video games and comic books at competitive prices.  

In addition to this I plan to open an ARCADE CAFE!  A place that will serve quality food at very affordable prices, a place that will offer a relaxed atmosphere to sit and read comics from our in house library or play our video games set up around store.  How cool would that be?  I know right!

Unfortunatly, largely due to the current economic climate, I was not granted a business loan but I'll be damned if I'm going to let that stop me.  

You can help me make this happen.

What we plan to do

Virtually all my profits have been reinvested back into the business but I have saved some money. My total budget plan is £14,500 so I need to raise a further £12,000. 

The money covers ;

• £6,000  is for the first quarter rent which is required upon moving in. 
• £1,500 There are no radiators or boiler in the entire building which would need fitting. 
• £500 the second floor needs electrics refitted.
• £1,000 the bathrooms have been gutted and need refitting
• £4,000 the kitchen needs refitting and tiling plus appliances, tables and arcade machines.
• £1,500 the shop floor needs refitted with our shelves and counters.

If we dont cover the target goal, we hope to atleast cover the first quarters rent and then cover the heating as these two are impossible to open shop without. We would then slowly build everything whilst trading, it would be much slower but possible.

We are looking at making a floor space above the shop that will be open until late in the evening where people can hang out, read comics from our library, play video games etc and buy cheap but quality food from us. We also want to host gaming tournaments, free cinema nights and geek quizzes! We are really excited about the idea of bringing people together without them having to empty their bank accounts just so they can have fun.

WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH YOUR MONEY

This website works in two ways. It either allows you to set a goal for a specific deadline, if you reach that goal by that dead line it takes a small fee and gives you the money. If you do not hit your goal, you do not get the money.

you can also set a goal and a deadline, if you do not reach your goal by that date however you still get to keep what you have raised but at a higher fee. 

Some people may be less inclined to donate as they are worried what we are doing with your precious pennies, so we'll tell you!

We've come to the conclusion that every penny literally helps for us, so we are trying to raise as much money as possible for when we can next apply for a business loan in March. We figure, the less we are asking to borrow, the more likely it is we will get a positive response if we dont hit our target.

Every single penny that you donate will be put into a seperate account, untouched until the deadline, it will then be added to other additional funds and we will apply for the difference needed. Not a penny will be taken for personal use. This project is too awesome to cheap out on, what so ever.

IF THE OPTION OF OPENING THIS CAFE BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE - WE REFUND EVERY PENNY BACK TO YOU.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you cant contribute money we're not going to hate you! You can contribute many ways! Sharing this page to increase peoples knowledge will also increase the likely hood of donations :)