Here are six new businesses you can support in Wakefield city centre this week

Geek Retreat

“We don’t care who you are, we’re very accepting of anyone. We want people to come in and feel safe in an environment that they’re understood in."

It's a simple promise, and one that Samantha Maries and partner Jack Mallinson intend to make good on, with their new shop, cafe and board game cafe.

Located on the Bullring, in the heart of the city centre, Geek Retreat offers a selection of takeaway drinks and snacks, and will expand to function as a board game cafe and host themed events, once Covid restrictions allow.

Samantha said: "It's basically a geek store. We do a lot of mainstream stuff as well, like Marvel and Harry Potter and some Disney things.

"When it's open properly people can play board games or card games, whether it’s their own or the store’s.

"We also do comic books - some of those are free to read - we basically just ask that every hour you buy a coffee."

Click here to find out more about Geek Retreat.

Casa Peri Peri

A hot new restaurant is spicing things up at Trinity Walk shopping centre, with a menu designed by MasterChef contestant Bobby Geetha.

Casa Peri Peri opened to customers for the first time today (Friday), and will continue to welcome diners over the coming weeks.

It hopes to hook in potential customers with a menu of flame grilled peri peri chicken, slow cooked peri peri beef short rib, spicy rice protein bowls and sizzling hot chocolate fudge brownie - among other things.

Bobby said: “We are delighted at how the restaurant is looking and the key word here is quality – everything from experience to service to food to environment.

"We want people to visit, have a great, safe time and come back again and again."

Westgate Fisheries

And Casa Peri Peri is not the only new business in the dining game.

One entrepreneur is hoping to find his plaice in the city centre with a brand new new fish and chip restaurant - with a twist.

Westgate Fisheries and Breakfast Bar will offer traditional fish and chips, as well as a cafe-style takeaway and dine in restaurant with retro games machines, promising a memorable experience for the whole family.

Shane Wainwright is behind the new businesses, conveniently located on Westgate. Supported by a team of 15 staff, including fish fryers, till staff and drivers, he hopes to open for takeaway and delivery orders next week.

He said: "It's a full, proper fish and chip menu, traditional type of thing. But we also do burgers and that type of stuff.

"For me this is a prime location. It's something that isn't around that much, especially late on and with the cafe side too.

"I want it to be somewhere you can bring the kids, more of a family feel rather than 'get your food and go'.

"We've gone for more experienced staff, who can have a real chat and get to know the regulars."

Once open, Westgate Fisheries and Breakfast Bar will offer takeaway and collection orders through Just Eat and Wakefield Eats, before opening up to serve customers in store in the coming months.

RBT Video/Lot

If you've had your fill of good food, and turned your attention to the evening ahead, fear not - a new secret bar on Northgate has you covered.

From the outside, RBT Video may look like a normal, old-fashioned video store. But the unit hides an exiting secret.

Present staff with the right combination of words, and you could just be invited into a secret bar, offering a revolving festival of food from a selection of local restaurants.

Founder Nathan Birkinshaw said: “We want to approach restaurants to do outside catering and have a revolving food festival – maybe tacos on Friday and then ask Fino to do pizza.

“We don’t want it to be about us, we want it to have a community feel.”

The outdoor dining area, named Lot, will open this evening, and is taking bookings for future weeks.

You can find out more about RBT Video and Lot here.

Cherie nails and spa

A new nail bar in the heart of the city is also hoping to bring a little sparkle to Wakefield, with luxury services for all.

Cherie Nails and Spa, on Westgate, opened this week, and hopes to offer a few moments of peace and easy conversation for customers - as well as a fresh coat of nail polish.

Founder Joe Long, who runs similar businesses in Manchester, said: "Wakefield seemed the best town in the area.

"After what's gone on this year we're making the best of it. A bit like hair, everybody wants and needs it now. We're here to provide that service.

"I've been told from friends that some people are intimidated by nail salons or they don't want to sit in silence, which is why we want to give good service - hopefully better than everybody else!"

Open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4pm on Sundays, Cherie is open to customers now.

Secret Chambers

And an exclusive boutique is hoping to introduce a dash of glamour and glitz to the city centre, with luxury makeover options, custom branded makeup and clothes and even exclusive designs from a local designer.

Secret Chambers, tucked in the corner of Wood Street and Cross Street, is run by Tracy Chambers.

As well as luxury makeover options from a team of staff, the shop offers custom branded makeup and clothes, and has even partnered with a local designer.

Tracy said: "It will be the place where you can come get your nails done, your eyelashes done, buy an outfit and go out.

"I've always been interested in clothes and makeup and things, so I found a shop and decided to go for it.

"You can come in and have a cup of tea. We want it to be very relaxed and homely."