GAME store on Southend High Street to shut in August amid nationwide closures

Southend’s GAME store will close its doors for the final time this August, marking the end of an era for many local gamers and shoppers.

The branch, located on the city’s main High Street, is currently running a 20% discount on most stock as it prepares to close. Its closure is part of a wave of nationwide shutdowns affecting the video game retailer, which is undergoing significant restructuring under its parent company, Frasers Group.

GAME was acquired by Frasers Group in 2019 in a £52 million deal. Since then, the retail group – owned by Sports Direct business tycoon Mike Ashley – has increasingly shifted its strategy. Instead of running standalone GAME shops, it’s been converting many into concessions within existing Sports Direct, House of Fraser or Flannels stores.

While neither GAME nor Frasers Group has commented on the reasons for the latest closures, it is understood the decline in physical video game sales has hit the business hard. The days when gamers queued at midnight for new releases on disc have largely faded, with the majority of consumers now opting for digital downloads.

In-store footfall has also dropped significantly in recent years, with many high streets struggling to compete against online retail. A former Southend GAME staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s been coming for a while. Sales just aren’t what they used to be – people still love games, but they’re not buying them in-store anymore. I’m surprised the store didn’t close earlier.”

GAME once dominated the UK gaming retail market, especially during the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 era, when the High Street branch in Southend would often be packed with customers ahead of major launches. But in today’s digital-first market, many gamers are turning to online platforms such as Steam, Xbox Live and PlayStation Store.

Frasers Group has not yet confirmed whether a GAME concession will be introduced in Southend’s Sports Direct, which already occupies a large unit nearby on the High Street. If not, the closure means the nearest remaining GAME locations could be inside hybrid stores elsewhere in Essex or London.

The High Street branch joins a growing list of closures across the UK. Several standalone GAME stores in places like Basingstoke, Derby and Newcastle have either shut or are in the process of closing.

For now, Southend shoppers still have a few weeks left to grab deals on games, accessories and merchandise before the doors close permanently.