13/03/2026
It is with a heavy heart that we must confirm that Sharkade has closed and is no longer trading.
We understand that this announcement comes much later than it should have, and we sincerely apologise for the long period of silence. The time leading up to and following the closure of the business was extremely difficult, both practically and personally, and it took time before we were able to communicate publicly about what had happened.
Sharkade was built out of a genuine passion for arcade machines and the community around them. For many years a great deal of time, energy, and personal commitment went into trying to make the business work. Even during the final period of the business, every effort was made behind the scenes to try to keep things going and prevent closure.
During this time significant sacrifices were made within the household to try to keep the situation afloat, including working long hours and contributing personal income in an attempt to support the business while it struggled. Despite these efforts, the financial pressure continued to grow.
A number of challenges contributed to the situation the business ultimately faced. These included declining orders, rising operational costs, ongoing financial strain, and a number of external pressures that made the environment increasingly difficult for a small independent business to navigate. Over time these factors combined to create a situation that simply became unsustainable.
There were also very real personal struggles taking place behind the scenes. The stress of trying to keep the business operating while dealing with mounting pressure had a serious impact, and this made communication and decision-making extremely difficult during that period. This is part of the reason why customers did not receive the clarity they should have at the time, and we sincerely apologise for that.
We recognise that some customers may still be affected by outstanding orders or payments, and we want to express sincere empathy to anyone impacted. We fully understand that the uncertainty and lack of communication over the past months has been frustrating and upsetting, and we are truly sorry for the distress this situation has caused.
For customers who believe they are owed funds, there may still be options available depending on how the payment was originally made:
• If payment was made by credit card, you may wish to contact your card provider to ask about a chargeback
• If payment was made by debit card, your bank may also be able to advise you about possible chargeback procedures.
• If payment was made by bank transfer, it may still be worth contacting your bank to discuss whether any recovery options may be available.
Each financial provider has its own policies and time limits, so contacting them directly is usually the best first step.
Due to the sensitive nature of the situation and the impact it has had personally, we will unfortunately not be able to engage in individual discussions or correspondence regarding the closure. This decision has been made to prevent further distress and emotional strain for everyone involved.
This message is being shared to provide clarity that the business has closed, to acknowledge the impact this has had on customers, and to offer guidance for anyone who may still be affected.
Thankyou to everyone who supported Sharkade and shared the passion for arcade gaming and the community around it over the years.
