School friends to launch new board game café in Maidenhead

A new board game café which aims to provide a space for people to socialise and bond over a love of games looks set to launch in Maidenhead.

School friends Ellie Jeffries and Rosie Mulford devised the idea for their Sip and Conquer café after feeling that the town lacks a venue where people of all ages can play games in an inclusive atmosphere.

Whether its classics like Cluedo or Monopoly or more niche games, the pair are hoping to build up a vast library of options to cater for every taste.

Ellie, from Taplow, said: “I grew up in Maidenhead and do a lot of community building.

“I just really noticed there’s a lack of spaces for people to socialise, connect with each other and actually do things rather than it be completely centred around alcohol.

“I think sometimes people assume a board game café is targeted at young people but it’s kind of for everyone.

“It’s something you can do with a family or something you can do with a friend over a beer.”

The café is looking to offer three options for game enthusiasts where they can either pay to play on a table at the venue, rent a board game to take away or buy a game.

Ellie added: “One of the main things I’m really passionate about is the idea of being able to rent board games.

“Imagine Blockbuster, you’re going in and picking up your board game. I know when I was younger I would have loved that.

“That’s something we don’t do anymore but I think you can replicate it with board games.”

The café is set to be the duo’s first venture together but Ellie is hoping to build on her experience of growing communities in Maidenhead through social groups and book clubs.

The 30-year-old already runs a social group for people in their 20s and 30s in the town and organises regular meet-ups for book lovers.

She added: “I think board games are really powerful. They teach you really good logic and communication skills.

“I used to work at the mental health charity MIND and there’s lots of research coming out about board games as a therapeutic invention for mental health problems and neurodiversity.

“I think there’s so many benefits for board games.”

The pair have launched a Crowdfunder campaign which has set an initial target of £3,000 to help build up the café’s game library, install tech systems for the café and ensure full accessibility for guests.

Their chosen location has not yet been revealed but they are hoping to get the venue up-and-running by the end of the year once a lease agreement is finalised.

“We’re both very passionate about independently owned businesses operating in Maidenhead.

“Crowdfunders are such a good opportunity for people to feel ownership over the businesses that are operating in their local community.”

Click here to view the fundraising page.