# FUNLAND ARCADE **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2021-10-26 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2021/10/26/funland-arcade --- ## Analysis Funland Arcade, a new family entertainment centre (FEC), opened in September 2021 at the Brunswick Centre in London's Bloomsbury district, filling a gap left by the closures of Namco Funscape and Sega World. The arcade features seven Stern pinball machines, including the newly arrived Godzilla Pro, and is positioned as the UK flagship location for Stern pinball machines through a partnership with distributor Electrocoin. An IFPA-sanctioned pinball tournament is planned for November 28th to promote the venue and raise public awareness of pinball. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Funland is positioned as the flagship location for Stern pinball machines in the UK, with latest games always available — _John Stergides (Stern UK distributor) stated this directly to the article author_ - [HIGH] Funland Arcade houses seven Stern pinball machines including the newly arrived Godzilla Pro — _Article explicitly states 'seven Stern pinball machines, including the newly arrived Godzilla Pro' and lists other titles_ - [HIGH] Namco Funscape closed after twenty-five years and Sega World Trocadero had previously closed — _Article opening directly states venue closure timeline_ - [HIGH] An IFPA-sanctioned pinball tournament will be held on 28th November 2021, open to public and streamed globally — _Article states 'Neil McRae will be running an IFPA-sanctioned pinball tournament' with specific details_ ### Notable Quotes > "as his company, Electrocoin, is the Stern distributor for the UK he will be always have the latest Stern games in this arcade; in this way Funland will be the flagship location for Stern pinball machines in the UK" > — **John Stergides**, N/A > _Strategic positioning of Funland as premier Stern showcase venue in UK market_ > "the location easy to get to, situated next to Russell Square tube station in a mixed residential, retail and leisure area surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants" > — **Article author**, N/A > _Practical accessibility assessment of the venue for potential visitors_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Funland Arcade | location | New family entertainment centre (FEC) opened September 2021 at Brunswick Centre, London; flagship Stern pinball location in UK | | Electrocoin | company | Stern Pinball distributor for UK; organized Beatles pinball launch event; provides cashless payment card system (Intercard) for Funland | | John Stergides | person | UK Stern distributor; organizer of Beatles launch event; stakeholder in Funland Arcade | | Stern Pinball | company | Pinball machine manufacturer; primary supplier of machines at Funland Arcade | | Godzilla | game | Stern pinball machine in Pro tier; newly arrived at Funland Arcade at time of article | | The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball | game | Stern pinball machine; launch event hosted at Brunswick Centre in 2018 | | Brunswick Centre | location | Grade 2 listed building in Bloomsbury, London; houses Funland Arcade; previously hosted Beatles pinball launch | | Namco Funscape | location | Former London FEC closed in 2021 after 25 years of operation | | Sega World Trocadero | location | Former London FEC that closed prior to Namco Funscape | | Neil McRae | person | Tournament organizer; running IFPA-sanctioned pinball tournament at Funland on 28th November 2021 | | Led Zeppelin | game | Stern pinball machine at Funland Arcade | | Stranger Things | game | Stern pinball machine at Funland Arcade | | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | game | Stern pinball machine at Funland Arcade | | The Mandalorian | game | Stern pinball machine at Funland Arcade | | Jurassic Park | game | Stern pinball machine at Funland Arcade | ### Topics - **Primary:** Venue/Location Infrastructure, Stern Pinball Flagship Location - **Secondary:** Tournament/Community Events, Licensed IP Games, UK Pinball Market - **Mentioned:** Supply Chain/Opening Delays ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Article is promotional/celebratory in tone, highlighting Funland as a positive addition to London's entertainment landscape with strong infrastructure and pinball focus. Neutral/factual reporting without critical commentary. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Funland Arcade positioned as strategic flagship location for Stern pinball in UK market, with commitment to stocking latest Stern releases (confidence: high) — John Stergides (Stern UK distributor) confirmed Electrocoin partnership ensures Funland always has latest Stern games - **[event_signal]** IFPA-sanctioned pinball tournament scheduled for 28th November 2021 at Funland Arcade, open to public and globally streamed (confidence: high) — Neil McRae organizing tournament as part of opening events to promote awareness of pinball and showcase latest Stern machines - **[market_signal]** Closure of major London FECs (Namco Funscape, Sega World Trocadero) followed by new competitive FEC opening, suggesting market consolidation and venue competition (confidence: high) — Article explicitly references 25-year closure of Namco Funscape and prior closure of Sega World as context for Funland opening - **[technology_signal]** Adoption of cashless payment card system (Intercard) with dynamic pricing capability at Funland Arcade (confidence: high) — John Stergides mentioned Intercard cashless system provides dynamic pricing benefits during quieter periods --- ## Transcript Date: 29th September, 2021 Location: Unit 25/27, The Brunswick Centre, Bernard Street, London WC1N 1BS, UK This year Britain saw the closure of London’s premier family entertainment centre (FEC), Namco Funscape, after twenty-five years, and Sega World in the Trocadero had closed prior to that. The capital now has a new FEC, Funland, opening in the iconic grade 2 listed Brunswick Centre in central London’s fashionable Bloomsbury district which offers both retail and leisure facilities. ![Funland Arcade in the Brunswick Centre, London](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/02-funland-london.jpg) Funland Arcade in the Brunswick Centre, London ![The sign outside Funland Arcade](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/01-funland-london.jpg) The sign outside Funland Arcade The Centre was in the news in 2018 when it hosted the launch of the Stern Pinball’s The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball machine, organised by the UK’s Stern distributor, John Stergides and Electrocoin. ![Inside the Beatles store](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/beatles-in-london/004-beatles-in-london.jpg) The UK launch of The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball Preparations for the arcade’s opening started in August but was delayed by supply chain issues. However, John and his team have made significant progress; inside you will find the full spectrum of amusement machines from kiddie rides to pinball via dance, driving, shooting, basketball, wack ‘em machines, and mini-bowling lanes, as well as Skill Cut Winner and Skill Shooter games manufactured by Electrocoin, and vending machines for footballs and capsules. ![Some of the amusements at Funland Arcade](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/04-funland-london.jpg) Some of the amusements at Funland Arcade ![More of the amusements at Funland Arcade](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/07-funland-london.jpg) More Arcade](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/05-funland-london-1024x716.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/05-funland-london.jpg) Arcade](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/06-funland-london-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/06-funland-london.jpg) More of the amusements at Funland Arcade In pride of place is the row of seven Stern pinball machines, including the newly arrived Godzilla Pro (the most new machines you will find in any London location). ![Six of the seven pinballs at Funland Arcade, since joined by Godzilla](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/03-funland-london.jpg) Six Godzilla John told me, as his company, Electrocoin, is the Stern distributor for the UK he will be always have the latest Stern games in this arcade; in this way Funland will be the flagship location for Stern pinball machines in the UK, where customers can check out the latest Stern products. ![Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Stranger Things, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Mandalorian and Jurassic Park](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/08-funland-london.jpg) Led Park As part of the opening events, Neil McRae will be running an IFPA-sanctioned pinball tournament, open to the public and streamed globally, on 28th November. As well as publicising the new FEC, the intention is to promote public awareness of pinball and showcase the latest Stern pinball machines. ![The Jurassic Park game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/funland-london/09-funland-london.jpg) The Jurassic Park game John Stergides told me the FEC will use a cashless payment card system provided by Intercard, another of the products Electrocoin distributes. This will provide the benefit of dynamic pricing, so having fun will cost less during quieter periods. I visited prior to the public opening and found the location easy to get to, situated next to Russell Square tube station in a mixed residential, retail and leisure area surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants. Funland provides the missing piece of the jigsaw, offering something for everyone to do. Funland can be found in the Brunswick Centre, Bernard Street, London WC1 1BS and is open from 10am to 10pm every day. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 809aaefe-6026-44da-b71d-ac98798b1213*