Come and visit the Penny Arcade, which was almost burnt to the ground! Yes, we did
have a fire on the premises early last year and we suffered badly from the smoke
damage. Although believe it or not, we were back up and running the following week,
despite the fact that a large part of the Cheshire Workshops site had to be totally rebuilt!
I'm sure these vintage arcades are cursed! For at least a couple of months visitors to the
arcade had to wash their smoky/waxy hands after handling the machines. Anyway,
they're all cleaned up now; it only took around six months!
What delights do we have on offer? I hear you ask. Well, how about four (yes,
count 'em) different Haunted House working models, including examples by both Kraft
and Bolland. Working models play a large part in our display and are all suitably
located in what is reputed to be the haunted part of the building! Other ghastly models
on display include: The Haunted Churchyard; The Guillotine; The Burglar; Laughing
Sailor; Jazz band thing; huge dancing Pelham Puppet etc ..... By the way, some of these
machines are featured in the pages of some book or other! (Never 'eard of it - Ed.).
See the fabulous and unique coin-operated working model Fairground, a true work
of art (although the Chair-0-Planes have long since actually worked)! Numerous
allwins and other wall machines are also here to play plus shooting games (yes, you
guessed it, scary ones once again - a recurring theme) including a re-vamped Skeleton
Shooter which also features great sound effects, plus a Crompton' s Cave of Horrors.
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