Tech takeover fuels growing boom for an interactive high street

Stores once occupied by the likes of Debenhams and TopShop have given way to VR darts, golf- and even axe throwing

- Joanna Hodgson

WALK into the former TopShop in Enfield town and it is hard to believe that the space was once a conventional London high street fashion emporium.

Where there were previously racks and shelves displaying Sir Philip Green's latest offerings there are escape rooms, VR headsets, huge game screens and an air hockey table. The 1980s-style sign that greets you on entry in garish neon pink proclaims "this must be the place".

The startling transformation of this north London "Centre VR" branch is symbolic of an exploding trend across the capital: experiential interactive leisure sites, many packed to the rafters with tech, are where the action is happening right now.

From a quiet evening of axe throwing to an immersive life-size version of Monopoly, London workers and tourists are seeking new ways to socialise and there are scores of businesses looking to satisfy this growing appetite.

This month, details were unveiled of a Pocket Planet miniature world attraction in Oxford Street featuring model landscapes of British landmarks with audio and visual effects for visitors.

Meanwhile, TOCA Social, an interactive football games brand, revealed it will develop a huge new site in part of the former Debenhams store at the Westfield London mall in White City.

Nothing could more starkly illustrate the changing balance of power on the high street: long established but now obsolete retailer out, whizzy new high tech interactive upstart in.

To give some indication of the popularity of the new industry, at Westfield's two malls in the capital around 130,000 sq ft of competitive socialising space has been signed for by firms since 2021 alone. As Nick Weir, joint managing partner at leisure property specialist Shelley Sandzer, puts it: "Competitive socialising is a trend that is seeing exponential growth."