The Boardroom - Board Gaming Cafe and Social Space

by Jay Edwards-Bannon in Ormskirk, Lancashire, United Kingdom

The Boardroom - Board Gaming Cafe and Social Space

Total raised £0

£25,000 target 71 days left
0% 0 supporters
This project will only be funded if at least £25,000 is pledged by 2nd June 2025 at 12:25am

The Boardroom: Creating a safe, inclusive space where everyone can connect, socialise and live through the joys and thrills of board gaming.

by Jay Edwards-Bannon in Ormskirk, Lancashire, United Kingdom

My Board Game Journey: Creating The Space I Wish I Had

Hi! I'm Jay, and board games have changed my life.

A few years ago, I was that person who struggled to find my place. Despite living in a town with thousands of people, I often felt alone. As someone who found traditional social settings overwhelming, I yearned for a different kind of connection - something more meaningful than shouting over loud music at a bar or making small talk at networking events.

Then I discovered board gaming, and everything changed.

Sitting across from strangers who quickly became friends, I found that board games created this magical middle ground. They gave us something to focus on besides awkward conversation, a shared experience to bond over, and genuine laughs that weren't forced. For the first time, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

Why The Boardroom Needs to Exist

Every time I join my new friends at our local volunteer led club for a games night, I see the same transformation in others that I experienced. The shy student who starts strategising confidently. The overworked parent who finally relaxes and laughs. The newcomer to town who leaves with phone numbers and plans for next week.

But not everyone has access to this kind of community. That's why I'm creating The Boardroom - the welcoming space I wish existed when I was at my loneliest.

This isn't just a business idea to me. It's a mission to create a sanctuary where people can find connection through play, no matter who they are:

  • Students looking for a break from academic pressure
  • Families wanting quality time away from screens
  • Young professionals seeking meaningful after-work connections
  • People who, like me, just need a place where they belong

What Your Support Will Create

I'm seeking £25,000 to get The Boardroom off the ground. This initial funding will help secure our location and transform it into a warm, inviting space with:

  • A starter library of diverse games that welcome players of all experience levels
  • Comfortable seating where people can settle in for hours of play
  • A small but thoughtful menu of drinks and snacks that won't ruin game pieces!
  • Most importantly, an atmosphere where everyone feels safe to be themselves

While my business plan outlines the full vision, I believe in starting small and growing with the community. Your support now will help us open our doors and begin building that community together.

Join Me in This Adventure

Every time I share my dream for The Boardroom, I watch people's eyes light up as they say, "Ormskirk really needs this!" I've spent years in marketing for major brands and some of the biggest names in hospitality and sport but this is the first project that truly makes my heart race with excitement.

By supporting The Boardroom, you're not just backing a café - you're helping create the welcoming space that might change someone's life the way board gaming changed mine. You're saying that in our digital world, in-person connection still matters.

Let's roll the dice together and build the community space Ormskirk deserves. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to opening our doors and welcoming our first players to the table.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

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Rewards

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£250 or more

Lifetime Membership

£100 donation would get you a lifetime membership to the cafe and any future expansions - meaning you'll never have to pay to hire a table at the venue again!

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