A new gaming and entertainment business is to open their store in Arnold‘s AMP next month.
Following a number of proposed locations falling through, Dice and Balls, run by Phire and Zoe, did not give up on their dream and officially collected the keys to the final vacant unit at the AMP earlier this week.
Dice & Balls is a CIC (a non-profit Community Interest Company) that is all about creating inclusive and fun experiences for the benefit of the local community.
The CIC will join six independent businesses currently open to the public at the AMP – 1 Market Place Tea Rooms, Cleo’s Deli, Arnold Post Office, CATDOG – an animal products store, Taste First – a wine and food tasting experience and Skin Solace – a vegan beauty brand opened in March, 23.
With Dice and Balls taking over the last remaining unit at the £4 million flagship business development in Arnold Town Centre, the seven retail units on the ground floor are now fully let, some eight months after the official opening of the AMP. The AMP was officially completed and handed over to Gedling Borough Council in November, 2022.

Dice & Balls have been holding sessions all over the borough including Heidi’s Cafe in Gedling Village, The Eagle’s Corner in Arnold and also recently delivering board games in Coppice Lodge with School Children.
Phire said “We won’t be serving food and drinks due to the proximity of other food outlets, and are happy for people to bring in their own food and drinks.
“We will have a large table in the shop for playing games and hopefully two smaller ones outside for games. We will be having evening gaming events, dungeons and dragons online and in person sessions and we have asked the council for permission to use the outside space for our circus skills.
“We are a community interest company, so the profits will be used to benefit the community, such as putting on free or low cost events so that anyone can attend. We are seeing this as a way of helping others that struggle with isolation for what ever reason.
“We are both passionate about being fully inclusive and offering a safe environment for everyone, regardless of challenges that we all face in life.”
Phire has been a Youth Worker, has run her own business for ten-years teaching Circus Skills and Co-ordination and most recently has worked with adults of all ages with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours at the NHS.
As well as juggling, Phire brings her skills with Poi, Fire Poi, Diablo, and Flower Sticks to Dice & Balls.
Zoe is a board game and Roleplaying Game geek, and proud of it. She has been involved in the Roleplaying world since the 1980s and has run many, many games both in person and online.
She became a stilt walker almost by accident after having a go one time, and discovering she had a knack for it.
The CIC will be advertising Circus Skills availability for workshops, parties, and corporate team building in due course.
Further information including contact details for Dice and Balls can be found on their website HERE.