RETRO video games and craft beers will be on offer at a new café/arcade, if approval is granted.

Zapsco Ltd is seeking permission to open ‘Zaps’ in the empty unit at 3 Gervis Place in Bournemouth town centre.

Advertising itself as “the South’s first retro arcade café-bar, and a unique entertainment venue”, the business would be based around more than 20 original arcade gaming machines dating back as far as 1979, serving teas, coffees, and bottled beers and ciders.

Founders Paul Carr and Ross Andrews left long-term jobs at Future Publishing and LV= respectively to take a shot at bringing something different to their home town.

"Our real target market is people like us, people who grew up in the 1980s and played the original arcades," said Ross.

"Bournemouth had really great arcades.

"Most of those people are mums and dads now like us, and want somewhere to go out which is a bit different and family-friendly."

Paul said: "We want people thinking 'I remember that game' and 'I can't wait to bring my kids here'.

The pair, inspired by similar ventures in the US, have accumulated 34 gaming machines over the past eight months, and are at work repairing those in need of a little TLC.

Games machines include Out Run, Smash TV, NARC, Street Fighter II, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, Pac-Man and Ms Pac-Man, Moon Cresta, After Burner, Q'Bert, The Simpsons, Strider, Shinobi and Centipede.

"I have 12 at home at the moment and every time my daughter, who is 12, has friends over we can't get them away from them," said Ross.

They plan to knock down a wall at the back of the shop to reveal a large window, creating a bright and airy atmosphere as opposed to the dingy arcades of old.

Their application states: "We believe that everyone can enjoy this golden age of video games. Remember the arcades and you’ll love the nostalgia, step-up to the games for the first time and you’ll love the novelty. We’d love to bring something brand-new to the community, and bring a brand-new community to the heart of Bournemouth."

A separate licence application has also been submitted. The pair said they have already received positive feedback from the authorities after circulating a draft application.

If all goes well, they plan to open in June/July.