Like a regular Hobby Centre, all Gaming Rooms provide the full range of Games Workshop services. They are larger than a normal Hobby Centre and have many tables, making them perfect for meeting fellow hobbyists.

During the week we have to restrict Gaming Room facilities to those over 16, but at weekends they are open to all hobbyists.

A grim-looking cityscape lies in ruins, the perfect battlefield for games of Warhammer 40,000, Necromunda and Inquisitor.	This bleak ice world has frozen bunkers and snow-filled trench terrain.

GAMING ROOM FEATURES

• Varied scenery and table set ups for Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, The Lord of The Rings and all the Specialist Games.
• Dedicated painting areas.
• Special events, battles and campaigns.
• Minimum age 16 on weekdays.

THE CHESTER GAMING CENTRE

Simon Cottral

"We work hard and play hard," says veteran Manager Simon Cottral. He's been around a while, playing wargames for 20 years, and has worked for Games Workshop for six. "I started working as a full timer right here," he tells us. Though during his career he has been at many different stores, coming back to Chester means he's gone full circle, and his love for the hobby still burns strong. "The best thing about my job is HELPING hobbyists," Simon explains. "It starts with small steps, getting that unit painted and having pride in your achievement." There's a frenzy of hobby activity wherever you look at Chester, doubtless influenced by the helpful and enthusiastic staff.

Callem Welsh, a regular, tells us about the Imperial Guard he is modelling to game with in the store. "I am making them camo cloaks out of Green Stuff," he says. "It's for the Vogen campaign that I am running here soon – I got the rules and map from the GW website."

There's plenty of gaming going on too. A comment of anguish nearby. "I can't believe you killed my Bike squad with those autocannons," Anthony Clegg bemoans regular opponent Wayne Jones's accuracy.

"They're a good bunch here, always friendly and welcoming to new hobbyists."
Simon Cottral, Chester Gaming Room Manager

"They're a good bunch here, always friendly and welcoming to new hobbyists," says Simon of his regulars, but he's not content to let his gamers have all the fun. "I collect every army set that comes out," he says. "My latest is Beasts of Chaos, which I am painting to play against my full timer, Chris Young." Meanwhile Chris is painting the Wood Elf army set to battle his boss, "I've only just got it. Even though some of the units are done, I am still busy assembling the rest."

MINIATURE SHOWCASE: BEST OF GW CHESTER		PAINTING THE ARMY OF THE DEAD QUICKLY
		Start with a Chaos Black undercoat. Basecoat the model Snot Green. Use a 1:1 mix of Snot Green and Codex Grey to overbrush the model. Add Codex Grey to this mix, then Fortress Grey for the final highlight.
Sam Rowlands painted this Lictor with a Tyranid Warrior’s head – a simple but effective conversion.	Simon’s fearsome Beastlord leads his hairy horde.	Simon painted his Army of The Dead for The Lord of The Rings rapidly by using the technique shown above.

You can find further details of the Chester Gaming Room including directions and contact telephone numbers on the Store Finder.

Travel Tip: Find the big gate with a gold clock on it (called the Eastgate Clock) right on the main shopping thoroughfare. Walk down Foregate and the Gaming Room is on the right!

Related Links:
Store Finder: Chester
Sheffield Gaming Centre | More About Gaming Rooms