A highly-anticipated gaming café is opening in Stevenage town centre later this month.

The Geek Retreat is a place where everyone can drink milkshakes and get their geek on while playing a variety of video and board games.

Co-owners, Kim Stevenson and Dan Sullivan wanted to open the quirky café as a "safe haven" for anyone who has interests of a nerdy nature.

The Comet: There's a variety of treats available at the café, including milkshakes.There's a variety of treats available at the café, including milkshakes. (Image: Courtesy of Dan Sullivan)

The café will provide a centre for a variety of hobbies from knitting, to book clubs and even live music nights as well placing a large focus on games.

Kim said: "It's a place that is welcoming for everyone and hopefully will be a point of contact for everyone. That is really important for us.

"There's not really much you can do nowadays without having to pay a hefty price for it. But with this café, you may not be able to afford much but you can come here and have somewhere you can play games with your friends and meet up with people."

The Comet: Customers can expect to enjoy a range of bored games, video games and socialising.Customers can expect to enjoy a range of bored games, video games and socialising. (Image: Courtesy of Dan Sullivan)

Geek Retreat's first franchise opened in Glasgow in 2013 by founder Stephen Walsh. Initially, the shop was supposed to be a "fun place to play geeky games and grab a milkshake". Since then, it has spiralled into 60 branches and counting, being opened around the UK.

The couple plan for Stevenage branch to be "much more than a retail and café space".

Customers can expect a gaming corner that will feature a TV and video consoles, a seating area that can hold between 80 and 100 people and events for special birthday parties and gaming tournaments, hosted throughout the year.

The Comet: Cosplayers are encouraged to attend the opening to receive a milkshake for their efforts.Cosplayers are encouraged to attend the opening to receive a milkshake for their efforts. (Image: Courtesy of Dan Sullivan)

Kim excitedly continued: "Our aim is to bring the community of Stevenage together with a space to feel safe and be themselves no matter what their geeky interests are."

The Geek Retreat will open its doors on May 28, and is located in the newly refurbished Unit 1 Mulberry House, Park Plaza.

The grand opening event promises to be a spectacular with free milkshakes up for grabs for the first 10 people through the door and for everyone who attends in Cosplay outfits.