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POL-05

Gaming Room Rules and Code of Conduct

The house rules for everyone using the upstairs gaming room: how we expect you to behave, how to look after the room and what happens if the rules are broken.

Applies to: All members, day pass holders, event attendees and other customers using the upstairs gaming room.

1. Why we have these rules

The upstairs room is for card games, tabletop games and PC gaming. We want it to be friendly, fair and safe for everyone, from first-time players to tournament regulars. By coming in, you agree to follow these rules and the instructions of our staff.

2. Respect for others

  • Treat other players and staff with respect. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats and abuse are not tolerated.
  • Do not use swearing aimed at others or offensive, hateful or sexual language, images or content. Keep general language suitable for a room where young people are present.
  • Do not film or photograph other people, especially children, without their permission.
  • Keep noise at a reasonable level. Be considerate to players at nearby tables.
  • Follow staff instructions straight away. If you disagree, speak to the person in charge of the shift calmly afterwards.

3. Fair play and sportsmanship

  • Play by the rules of the game and any tournament rules announced for the event.
  • No cheating. That includes marked cards, hidden cards, misreporting results, colluding with other players and using unfair software on gaming PCs.
  • Win and lose with good grace. Shake hands, say well played and do not blame or mock opponents.
  • Judges or staff running an event make the final decision on rules disputes.

4. Looking after the room and equipment

  • Treat tables, chairs, game copies, gaming PCs, headsets, controllers and all other equipment with care. You may be asked to pay for damage you cause.
  • Do not install software, change settings or plug in your own devices to our gaming PCs without staff permission.
  • Log out of any accounts when you finish a PC session. We are not responsible for anything left logged in.
  • Tidy up after yourself. Take your rubbish and belongings with you when you leave.
  • Do not move furniture or block the stairs, doorways or exits.

5. Food and drink

  • No food or drink on or next to the gaming PCs, keyboards or controllers. Spills damage equipment and are a safety risk.
  • Drinks with a lid or cap are allowed at card and tabletop tables, kept on the floor or at a safe distance from cards, books and miniatures.
  • Snacks that leave sticky or greasy fingers are not to be eaten while handling cards or game pieces. Wash or wipe your hands first.
  • Clean up any spill straight away and tell staff.
  • Do not bring in alcohol, energy drinks for children, or anything illegal.

6. Booking and PC time

  • Tables and PCs can be booked in store or through our website where booking is available. Please arrive on time. We may give your table or PC to someone else if you are more than 15 minutes late without telling us.
  • Members get table time and some free PC time each week as set out in the Membership Terms and Conditions (POL-07). The current fee for a membership or day pass is shown in store and on our website.
  • PC sessions end at the time booked. If nobody is waiting you may be able to extend. Staff will tell you if others are waiting.
  • Games played on our PCs must be suitable for the age of the youngest person who can see the screen, and must follow the Age Ratings Policy (POL-06). Staff may ask you to close a game.
  • Young people must follow the rules in the Under-18s and Parental Consent Policy (POL-04).

7. Theft, cards and belongings

Look after your own cards, games and belongings. Keep valuable items with you and do not leave them unattended on tables or in the room. We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property. Taking another person's cards, or items from the shop, is theft. We will ban anyone who steals and may report it to the police.

8. Trading between customers

  • Check what you are trading and agree the deal clearly before you swap. Use a price guide of your choice. Once a trade is done it is final.
  • Do not pressure anyone to trade. Do not trade with someone who seems unsure, confused or upset.
  • Do not trade fake, altered or proxy cards as genuine.
  • Under-18s may not trade high-value cards, including graded cards and sealed boxes, unless a parent or guardian is present. Staff may stop a trade if they think a young person is being treated unfairly.
  • Staff will step in if a trade looks like theft, fraud or exploitation, and may report it.

Selling items to the shop is a separate process at the trade-in counter, and has its own rules, including ID.

9. Safety

  • Keep the stairs, doorways and fire exits clear. Do not leave bags or coats in walkways.
  • If the fire alarm sounds, stop playing, leave at once without collecting your belongings, and go to the assembly point shown on the fire notice.
  • Tell staff straight away about any accident, spill, damaged equipment or anything that worries you.
  • No smoking or vaping anywhere in the building.

10. What happens if rules are broken

Staff may deal with problems in the following ways, depending on how serious they are:

  1. A reminder or a quiet word.
  2. A formal warning, which is recorded.
  3. Being asked to leave the room or the shop for the day.
  4. Suspension or removal of membership.
  5. A permanent ban from the shop and the room.

Serious behaviour such as violence, threats, theft, harassment or putting a child at risk may lead to an immediate ban and a call to the police. Where a young person is involved we will speak to their parent or guardian. If you think a decision is unfair, you can ask for it to be looked at again through our complaints procedure.