One of the unfortunate things about looking at all these vintage shop adverts in White Dwarf is that nearly all of these stores are sadly long gone, meaning we can’t pay them a visit. Now I say nearly, because there’s actually two that still exist, which is quite a testament to what they must be doing.

Firstly Leisure Games in Finchley London is still there, I paid them a visit and it’s a great shop, still stocking role playing games, board games, card games and anything else gaming related.

Leisure Games – Originally at 91 Ballards Lane, Finchley, London, N3. Now at 100 Ballards Lane.

White Dwarf 69 September 1985

White Dwarf 74 December 1985

And if you’re in the West End of London then Orcs Nest is such a part of the fabric of Cambridge Circus that it’s impossible to think of it not being there. I must have walked past this store, hundreds, if not thousands of times since the 1980s. It’s packed to the roof with all sorts of games, it’s so great that it’s still there, do pay them a visit if you’re in the area.

Orcs Nest – 6 Earlham Street, West End, London WC2H 9RY

White Dwarf 89 May 1987