AN owner is having one final push to make his Bradford city centre business work after an electric bill of nearly £7,000 put it at risk of closure.

Flashback Arcade, located on Drake Street in the former Telegraph & Argus building, at the back opposite Crown Court, has struggled to attract customers since Mohammed Patel opened it just over a year ago.

Couple this with the shock of an incredibly expensive bill and the niche business is on the brink.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the machines the arcade has to offerSome of the machines the arcade has to offer (Image: Newsquest)

"I have spent so much money on it, about £250,000," said Mr Patel.

"The footfall is not enough to make it profitable anyway but then we were hit with this electric bill - £6,900 for three months. 

"I am only open weekends, Saturday and Sunday the machines are on. That is like 25 days of electricity for £7,000. You are never going to make that money back even if you were busy.

"If I open it, I probably lose £300 every day out of my own pocket."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The site features classic arcade games including Space Invaders, Street Fighter II, Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat II.The site features classic arcade games including Space Invaders, Street Fighter II, Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat II. (Image: Newsquest)

However, he hopes several upcoming parties and the usually busy Christmas period will allow him to go again in the New Year.

Mr Patel added: "It is the only place where families with kids over the age of eight can come. It is value for money.

"We even have people come all the way from London and Birmingham to try our unique machines."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: It also includes a Japanese dance machine and Star Wars and The Simpsons-themed games.It also includes a Japanese dance machine and Star Wars and The Simpsons-themed games. (Image: Newsquest)

The site contains almost 100 machines, air hockey tables and a cafe area.

But many Bradfordians have failed to realise it even existed.

He added: "The issue we have is because we are at the back of the former T&A building, a lot of people can't find us.

"Even in the last few weeks people have come in and said I have never heard of this place.

"I hoped more businesses would go into the building and it would become a leisure complex.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Mr Patel spent £250,000 on the machines for the business, some of which have been imported from Japan.Mr Patel spent £250,000 on the machines for the business, some of which have been imported from Japan. (Image: Newsquest)

"We were originally open Wednesday-Sunday. Even then on weekdays, we were only getting 10-15 people in.

"We then decide to just do weekends. Saturday is not a bad day, we get around 50-70 people usually. But one day is not enough to pay rent, insurance and electricity."

On the site, there are no gambling machines and visitors pay a one-off entry fee, giving them unlimited use of the games.

Adults pay £15 while under-16s pay £10. Children aged under five have free entry if they are accompanied by an adult. A family pass, for two adults and two children, costs £40.