THE owner of an independent gaming shop in Poole is seeking planning permission to relocate his business to an industrial unit.

Entoyment, a store for wargaming hobbyists, has outgrown its Ashley Road premises and owner Peter Valinsky has been trying to move to a bigger site for the last two years.

Despite viewing many other premises, a unit at Fleetsbridge Business Centre has proven to be the only suitable site. However, Mr Valinsky’s last planning application for the unit was refused by the council due to insufficient parking and increased pedestrian footfall in a commercial area.

In his latest bid for the unit, Mr Valinsky hopes to address the council’s concerns.

In a statement to planners, he said: “There are a minimum of 14 parking spaces available during the day, which is more than adequate for our day time requirements.

“We believe there is more than ample safe parking for our customers, even if we were full to capacity for tournaments, and especially since the majority of our business occurs during the evenings and weekends.”

Entoyment, which was established in 2014, holds regular gaming events, and the business has “grown extensively in recent years”, Mr Valinksy says.

He is proposing to hold events on weekends only and will agree to cancel the store’s kids’ club if the council’s planning committee has concerns over the safety of child pedestrians in the industrial unit.

“Relocation to a larger premises with more suitable accommodation for a gaming venue is necessary within the local area in order to better serve the existing and growing customer base and allow the business to expand,” he said.

Wargame hobbyists have written letters to the council in support of the proposals.

Mark Evans said: “Having been part of the gaming hobby for over 40 years, I have seen a steady decline in independently run gaming shops and hobby centres, most of which have had to close due to increases in business rents associated with high street locations.

“As it is now, Poole is one of the few towns in the UK that has its own independent gaming shop, and I am concerned that if the application isn’t approved, then Entoyment will either relocate to another area or, worse, close its doors.”

Tom Rayer said the wargaming community required “a venue where we can meet and further grow our gaming community.”

And Andrew Sanders said: “A wonderful gaming community is attached to the shop, and people from all walks of life, young and old, have formed a unique community which is thriving, prospering and expanding.”