Battlefield Hobbies: Two national gaming tournaments are relocating to a start-up games venue and retail outlet in Northamptonshire. The UK Flames of War Grand Tournament and the UK Malifaux Nationals are both transferring their 2016 operations to Battlefield Hobbies in Daventry.
The move is a significant triumph for the games outfit, which only launched in November 2015. The change of venue for these major events in the UK gaming calendar reflects the unique appeal of Battlefield Hobbies to events organisers and gamers alike.
Battlefield Hobbies is conveniently and centrally based in Daventry, Northamptonshire, close to the M1/M6 interchange. Its size is its biggest draw, with its large and flexible gaming area able to accommodate far greater numbers of gamers than most other venues of this type.
And rather unusually for gaming events, those attending sessions at Battlefield Hobbies can expect an inviting, comfortable environment. The venue is well lit and well heated with clean toilets, and supplies of hot and cold drinks and confectionary readily available. During tournaments, Battlefield Hobbies also provides lunches for participants, allowing an uninterrupted gaming experience.
Nobby, co-owner of Battlefield Hobbies, commented: “To have two such major gaming events relocate to our venue is a big deal for us and a great vote of confidence. It shows that just five months after we launched Battlefield Hobbies, we are achieving what we set out to accomplish; a large but welcoming gaming venue that brings old and new players together and has the capacity and know-how to host large-scale events.
“We’re very excited and I hope that as we move forward, more organisers will recognise that our size, central location and comfortable facilities make us the ideal location for their gaming events.”
Mick Rood, organiser of the UK Flames of War Grand Tournament on behalf of The Reluctant Conscripts and Battlefront Miniatures, commented: “We are very pleased to be moving our 2016 tournament to Battlefield Hobbies. Its Northamptonshire location close to major transport links means it’s central and convenient for our players to travel to, and the large-scale, welcoming venue means all of our many participants can take part in comfort.
“I’m confident that this year’s Grand Tournament, with us in association with Battlefront and Battlefield Hobbies, will be the best yet.”
Battlefield Hobbies has been gaining steady momentum since it launched five months ago, and has just unveiled a website showcasing its range of games and gaming events. It’s now possible to buy the company’s huge assortment of wargame miniatures, rules, board games and collectible card games online, as well as from the shop in Daventry.
Games enthusiasts can see live stock levels on the new website and, in contrast with some other gaming sites, will only be charged when their chosen item is available.
The website also hosts fan forums and Battlefield Hobbies’ busy events calendar, which offers gamers access to everything from weekly gaming nights to major annual tournaments.
Co-founder Nobby prides himself on the depth of product range available, and his team’s expertise. He commented: “The website is an excellent way to engage further with our customers and is a natural extension of what we’ve been doing with the shop. I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made since we launched the company in November. Over 60 gamers come along to our weekly gaming nights every Wednesday, and I’m proud that we’re becoming known across the gaming community for our knowledgeable and passionate staff.
“We stock a wide and varied range on the website and in the shop, and we have a really good breadth of product within each of those lines – not just the most popular or well known ones. That’s an ethos we’ll stick with as we grow the business, and we will always have a subject matter expert in the team on most topics – it’s important that gamers feel confident that we know as much as they do.”
