UP CLOSE: Mark Wheeler, owner of Street gaming shop The Geeky Gamer

Street Nub News aims to be supportive to every element of the community from business and shops to people and charities and clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and is desperate to get back to normal.

We are profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a feature called UP CLOSE IN STREET in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for their full return to business as usual.

Today we talk to Mark Wheeler, owner of The Geeky Gamer gaming shop in Street, who talks about running an English language training centre in China and how he came to open his business in the High Street.

During a Q and A session, he also talks about supporting local businesses and volunteering during the coronavirus lockdown.

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Have you always lived in the Street area and, if not, what were the key considerations about moving here?

I was born and brought up in Street, went to local schools here, worked here, but nine years ago I decided to travel abroad to teach English. I ended up in China.

I moved back when the pandemic struck and to spend time with my elderly parents and fulfil a couple of dreams I had.

Tell us a bit about your personal business background Mark and how you ended up running The Geeky Gamer?

I've had quite a varied background, I always loved catering and hospitality, but also worked in finance before leaving the UK to teach. I used to volunteer at a local charitable kindergarten and loved it so much and the kids, that I had to get away from my high pressure, long hours, target-driven finance job.

I wanted to do something that really helped young people, shaped their future and hopefully made a positive impact on their lives. So I studied to teach, and packed my bags and left the UK.

After five years of teaching experience in a couple of schools abroad, I opened my own English language training centre in China. It was long hours but rewarding.

To relax after work I took up painting miniatures again, after about a 20-year break. I displayed some of my miniatures in the window of my English language training centre.

The kids' reactions were great and I almost instantly knew what my next goal was. So I spent time over the next three years building my knowledge and skills about table-top gaming, RPGs (role playing games) and painting, and planned my next business venture.

We are taking bookings for our gaming tables now, for after May 17. We have five tables available and a private room.

We are doing pay and play for three hours per person. Our number is 01458 841602.

What do you like about Street? How are you involved in the local community?

I love how friendly and helpful people are in Street. Coming from a massive city abroad, to a place where you can almost say hello to anyone in the street and have a chat about the weather, is so lovely.

I've volunteered quite a bit during lockdown. I really wanted to help, so I did food shopping delivery and a delivered free meals wheels via a local church. I also helped Glastonbury Football Club and joined the committee.

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many businesses and organisations - what are your plans?

I want the community for gamers and geeks to grow and develop. I've got some big plans for the shop and events in the future that will involve other local businesses, and local schools and colleges. I'm very excited about it.

What other businesses do you like and use in Street?

I like to shop local and support local businesses. I've seen the High Street change so much but still like to help local families and business to thrive and grow here.

There are so many great places to shop in the centre of the village, florists, butchers, bakers, fashion retailers, computer experts and cafes. I don't want Street to be a copy of all the other major cities and big towns, that's boring.

I like local business and local characters, who know my name and I know theirs. Being a teacher helped me to remember people's names!

The lockdown has been very difficult for many people - how do you think that Street as a village has coped?

I think we have done really well, our spirit showed, we knew what we had to do and we did it, because it was the right thing and it saved lives.

I know that the lockdown hit some small business hard, I know it was difficult for me, but there have been amazing people in Street that have helped and supported and guided, and they will continue to do so, because no one wants to see a deserted ghost town full of empty shops and void of life. I have a lot of hope for the future that we will actually be bigger and stronger together.

If there was one thing in the village you would change, what would it be?

I think if you are a local person you will not be surprised to hear my answers, that is, to bring back a supermarket into the centre and reintroduce parking up the High Street. That's two answers sorry!

If you had one message for local residents, what would it be?

Shop local, support local and buy British.

If you could choose one famous person to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be and why?

That's such a difficult question, there are so many great actors alive and dead, how does one choose? Maybe it's best to ask that question of those that know me best, like my friends and family.

Go to The Geeky Gamer website:

Check out The Geeky Gamer website here.