A new board game cafe with a unique concept is set to open at Touchwood Solihull later this month, promising a blend of tabletop gaming, dining, and collectables. Game Guru, which describes itself as the home of collectables and community gaming, will launch its second West Midlands location at the popular shopping centre on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
The venue already operates a branch at Birmingham's Utilita Arena, which opened last October and quickly became a landmark in the Midlands tabletop gaming scene. The new Touchwood branch will expand on that success, offering hundreds of games for visitors to play in-venue, ranging from family classics to strategy and co-operative titles. In addition, the cafe will feature an expanded collectables section, including limited edition trading cards and rare releases.
Golden Ticket Promotion
To celebrate the opening, the first 100 visitors will receive a golden ticket, granting them access to unlimited play for a whole year for just £50. This represents a saving of £300 off the usual annual pass value of £350.
Food and Drink Offerings
The cafe will also serve a full food menu, including full English breakfasts, brunch classics, freshly baked pizzas, craft burgers, and speciality dishes such as bao buns and katsu curry. The counter offers artisan cakes and freshly baked pastries, alongside a speciality coffee menu featuring flat whites, matcha, and Spanish lattes. The bar will serve a selection of beers and creative cocktails throughout the day.
Community Events
Game Guru will host regular tournaments, community game nights, trading card events, and learn-to-play sessions, with dedicated staff known as Game Gurus on hand to help customers learn new games.
Tony Elvin, general manager at Touchwood Solihull, expressed enthusiasm for the new addition: "We are hugely excited to welcome Game Guru to Touchwood, an exciting new hybrid concept encompassing retail, restaurant, and board game play. What I love most about this concept is the Game Guru element itself, where board game experts are on hand to help you learn how to play a new game. With dedicated, themed evenings and special events, I can see this being a big hit with families and adult gamers alike, getting people off screens and interacting together again in a fun and relaxed environment. Let the games begin!"
