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The North East’s first gaming café, catering for the legions of Dungeons and Dragons fans, has opened in Middlesbrough. The launch of the Cerberus Gaming Café, in Wilson Street, is the

realisation of a long-standing ambition for three friends: Simon Glass, Siobhan Daniels and Tyne Shears. “Simon’s been an avid gamer all his life and always dreamed of having his own shop,”

said 35-year-old Tyne from Stockton. “I’m a massive nerd and I have a business where I make nerdy things for Dungeons and Dragons. Siobhan is our baker extraordinaire. She’s worked as a chef

for 18 years and has always wanted a café to sell her wonderful cakes.” Dungeons and Dragons allows players to make characters and embark on adventures in a fantasy world. It was created in

the early 1970s and has tens of millions of followers. Its popularity has grown even more since it was featured in the hit Netflix series 'Stranger Things' and celebrity fans

include actors Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel. There are around 40 gaming cafes in the UK, but the nearest one before the Middlesbrough opening, was in Sheffield. “It’s a great opportunity

for people to get out, meet people and share their love of gaming,” said Tyne. As well as playing Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) visitors to the Cerberus Gaming Café will also be able to

indulge their passion for other board and trading card games. Richard Wilson, a Director of Dodds Brown – part of the Portland Group, represents the owner of the building which houses the

café. “It used to be a branch of the Darlington Building Society and it’s great to see such a historic building being brought back into use, although for a very different purpose,” said

Richard. “There’s a lot going on in this part of Middlesbrough, with the opening of the Stack and the continued success of the nearby escape room Project Escape and indoor golf Putter

Chaos.” He added: “It’s just what’s needed: new attractions to encourage people to come to Middlesbrough, particularly during the evening.” The café is just outside the entrance of the

Dundas Shopping Centre and Indoor Market where a major investment programme has created seven additional shop units and allowed two popular business to expand. JOIN TEESSIDE LIVE'S

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