top of page
Retropolis Classic Amusements — Expert Guide

Spin Blitz — Southend-on-Sea Retro Arcade

Retro Gold Certified

Retropolis Classic Amusements In Southend on Sea. This absolutely fabulous classic amusement arcade and ice cream parlour have pulled out all the stops to jam-pack the arcade with everyone’s favourite fruit machines of yesteryear.

Overview

Retropolis is probably the best arcade on Southend seafront, stacked out with multi-player slots from Astra & Mazooma to the glorious Maygay, Barcrest & even Global. Retropolis has other manufacturers of fruit machines too, including retro-style video games. Below are just some of the past & present fruit machines on offer to tempt you back into your childhood & teenage years.

Just part of the Retropolis fruit machine lineup includes Donkey Kong, Fight Night, EastEnders (including The Queen Vic), Party Time, Party Games & Party Time Double Decker. The Retropolis Astra collection is probably the biggest fully working collection, playable by customers in the UK. Don't forget to grab their fabulous Belgian waffles while you are there — they're worth the trip on their own.

Atmosphere

Retro, relaxed, neon-lit

Machine Mix

Astra, Barcrest, JPM, Maygay, Mazooma

Typical Stake

10p per play

Machines & Highlights

The floor is jam-packed with favourites and rare finds. Highlights listed below are single examples from the lineup; each machine is maintained in playing order — lights working, paytable legible, buttons responsive — ideal for players and creators.

Cops & Robbers £8 Jackpot

eastenders The Queen Vic.jpg

Eastenders the Queen Vic £5 Jackpot

Donkey Kong.jpg

Donkey Kong  £5 Jackpot

roller coaster.jpg

Roller Coaster £5 Jackpot

Monopoly 60th.jpg

Monopoly 60th   £5 Jackpot

Andy Capp.jpg

Andy Capp £4 Jackpot

Casino Deal Or No Deal.jpg

Deal Or No Deal  £5 Jackpot

4 Player Party Time Bingo.jpg

Party Time Bingo  £5 Jackpot

Colossus.jpg

Colossus  £5 Jackpot

Road Hog.jpg

Road Hog £4 Jackpot

The Astra Collection

Retropolis' Astra collection is probably the biggest fully working Astra bank available to the public in the UK — Party Time Double Decker, Party Games, Bullion Bars and Prize Surprize headline a truly social, camera-friendly bank.

5 Player Party Games.jpg

Party Games  £5 Jackpot

party time double decker arena.jpg

Party Time Double Decker £5 Jackpot

prize surprise.jpg

Prize Suprize £5 Jackpot

Bullion bars retropolis.jpg

Bullion Bars Arena £5 Jackpot

JPM, Barcrest & Modern Classics

Alongside Astra banks you’ll find a strong selection of JPM and Barcrest machines — these titles provide quick, visually strong plays and board features that film beautifully.

X Bar7.jpg
The Mob.jpg
The SimpSons.jpg
viva! six Las vegas.jpg
The History of Retropolis Amusements, Southend-on-Sea

1. The Collector Origin

Retropolis was born directly from the private collections of dedicated enthusiasts of British Amusement with Prizes (AWP) machines, commonly known as “fruit machines.”

The Problem: For many players, the nostalgia of the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s is tied to the clunky, mechanical fruit machines played in pubs, snooker halls, and seaside arcades. However, the trend in modern arcades shifted almost entirely to digital casino slots, opting for cost efficiency over the artistic, interactive, and mechanical complexity of the classics. These classic machines were becoming increasingly difficult to find and play in public.

The Solution: A small group of passionate collectors decided to reverse this trend. They pooled their extensive private collections—machines they had painstakingly restored and maintained—and opened them to the public. Retropolis was conceptualized as a place where these machines could live again, allowing the public to once more hear the familiar mechanical “clunk” of the coin hoppers and engage with the nudges and hold features.

2. Founders and Formation

While the concept grew from a group of enthusiasts, the operating company was recently formalized to run the public venue on the Eastern Esplanade.

The Business Entity: The arcade operates under the company name RETROPOLIS CLASSIC AMUSEMENTS LTD.

Key Directors: Official records show the company was incorporated on October 17, 2023. The key active directors involved in the operation are Mr. Alan Kenneth Frost and Mr. Andrew Mark Kirkby, both based in the Southend area, underscoring the local, passion-driven nature of the project.

3. Mission and Location

The core mission of Retropolis is preservation and community, setting it apart from typical commercial arcades.

The Curated Experience: The choice of location in Southend is significant. Southend has a massive history of seaside amusement, from the Victorian era through to the famed Kursaal and the modern Adventure Island. Retropolis continues this tradition but dedicates its space to a niche that was rapidly disappearing: the classic mechanical AWP machine.

The Collection: The venue houses machines from every decade since the 80s, featuring major manufacturers like JPM, Maygay, and Barcrest. This broad, carefully maintained collection cements its reputation as a “living museum” of UK amusement history.

The Atmosphere: The entire venue is designed to evoke the lighting and atmosphere of the 1980s and 1990s arcade scene, reinforcing the sense of stepping back into the “glory days” of coin-operated entertainment.

Spin Blitz: Practical Tips For Filming
  1. Best time: Off-peak weekday afternoons for quiet floors and long takes.

  2. Filming: Chest-height framing for reels & board; small shotgun mic for glass impacts.

  3. Thumbnail strategy: Capture paytable lit up or board flash during near-jackpot moments.

  4. Etiquette: Ask staff before filming — they’re usually friendly and helpful.

  5. Bankroll: £30–£100 depending on segment length and stakes shown.

Feature video - Spin Blitz Tour
Quick facts

Address:                                    21 Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2ER
Opposite:                                  Sea Life Centre / seafront
Plays:                                        10p per go
Jackpots:                                 £2.40 – £8

Visitor notes

Open daily (check local listings). Ground-floor arcade; staff can advise on filming. Enjoy waffles & ice-cream on-site.

Spin Blitz Verdict

Recommendation: Visit — Score: 4.9 / 5 (Retro Gold Certified)

Location & Directions

Retropolis sits on the Eastern Esplanade opposite Sea Life — close to the pier and seafront attractions. Easy access by train and car.

bottom of page