Monday 26th January 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

Bridlington’s beloved tabletop gaming hub, Mighty Lancer Games, is marking a major milestone this year as it celebrates its 10th birthday — a decade of dice rolls, painted miniatures, late-night game sessions, and a community that has grown into the heart of the business.

What began as a small family venture selling hobby supplies online and travelling to conventions has grown into one of the town’s most vibrant independent shops. The early days were anything but glamorous. With no budget for a van, the family converted an old caravan into the now-legendary “MLG Trade Show Stock Conveyor” — complete with a hand‑drawn Paint logo and a thumbs‑up from former Doctor Who actor Sylvester McCoy.

Their online presence took its first shaky steps on 28 May 2016, when a nervous, baby‑faced Mr MLG uploaded the shop’s first YouTube video: an unboxing of Maelstrom’s Edge: Battle for Zycanthus. It received four likes, which the team still remembers fondly.

But the real turning point came on 7th January 2017, when Mighty Lancer Games opened its first physical shop on Springfield Avenue — in the middle of winter, no less. The tiny space held just one gaming table, a handful of miniatures, and a lot of hope.

The ribbon was cut by Mr MLG and Little Miss MLG, proudly sporting her miniature branded jacket. Local business AllSigns The Signmakers decorated the windows with Star Wars decals, and the shop’s slogan, “The One Stop Gaming Shop,” was born.

The community responded with enthusiasm, and by 2018 the shop had outgrown its walls. The team moved to a larger premises on Prince Street, rolling up their sleeves to paint, carpet, and renovate the space — all under the watchful eye of the family’s Patterdale cross dog. The new shop allowed Mighty Lancer Games to host more events than ever, from Halloween parties to Scout painting sessions and regular gaming nights.

That same year, the team launched their popular Reaper Subscription Boxes and even created Ambush! Wargame Show, a two‑day gaming festival at Driffield Showground complete with traders, live bands, and camping. Though it wasn’t profitable, it remains one of the team’s proudest achievements.

By 2020, Prince Street was bursting at the seams, prompting yet another move — this time to a three‑storey building on King Street. The renovation was a mammoth task: rewiring electrics, improving accessibility, fixing plumbing, and installing new flooring, all while keeping the old shop open.

Then, on what was meant to be their grand opening day, the UK entered its first Covid‑19 lockdown.
“It was a real ‘what have we done?’ moment,” the team admits. But with determination — and a community that needed connection more than ever — Mighty Lancer Games adapted, offering local deliveries, updates, and a safe space as soon as restrictions allowed.

Today, the King Street shop is a treasure trove of hobby delights: Warhammer, board games, jigsaws, comics, scale models, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, paints, tools, and more. Regular gaming nights fill the building with laughter, cheers, and the occasional groan of a disastrous dice roll.

The team has also made charity a core part of their mission, supporting local and national causes. They’ve donated food to a homeless café, raised £1,520 for CALM through a 24‑hour Blood Bowl marathon, and supported Bridlington RNLI and MASH.

For their 10th anniversary, Mighty Lancer Games is raising funds for The Hinge Centre, a local charity offering vital support to vulnerable people in the community. Donations can be made via their GoFundMe page.

Celebrations throughout the year include Hobby Lucky Dips, special events, tabletop gaming sessions, and the launch of a brand‑new website.

In a message to their customers, the team shared heartfelt thanks:
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or have only just joined our adventuring party, we’re so grateful. Here’s to the next chapter of Mighty Lancer Games.”A decade down — and many more adventures to come for Bridlington’s one‑stop gaming shop.