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VR Warehouse, located in Runcorn, has been named a finalist in this year’s Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards. It stands out as an innovative destination and is shortlisted for the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category. This recognition highlights VR Warehouse’s rapid rise in popularity within Cheshire and Warrington’s vibrant tourism sector.
The Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards celebrate excellence across the region, promoting outstanding attractions, events, and hospitality businesses that contribute to a thriving visitor economy. These awards play a crucial role in showcasing the best experiences Cheshire has to offer.
This article explores what makes VR Warehouse unique, its range of immersive virtual reality offerings, the competitive landscape of the awards, and the potential impact this finalist position could have on both the centre and local tourism.
The Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards are a prestigious annual event organized by Marketing Cheshire, designed to recognize outstanding achievements within the region’s tourism sector. These awards highlight businesses and individuals who contribute significantly to making Cheshire and Warrington a leading visitor destination.
The region’s visitor economy is impressive, valued at £3.9 billion, supporting approximately 38,000 jobs. Each year, more than 56 million visitors explore its attractions, hospitality venues, and events, generating substantial economic impact and community benefits.
A record number of entries this year prompted a strategic change in the awards structure. The previously combined visitor attraction category has been split into two:
This adjustment allows for fairer competition and better recognition of diverse venues ranging from major landmarks to emerging gems like VR Warehouse. Other award categories span accommodation, events, dining, and tourism initiatives — all aiming to showcase the breadth and quality of experiences available across Cheshire and Warrington.
Judges face a challenging task given the exceptional standard set by entrants. The Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards continue to serve as a benchmark for excellence in promoting tourism growth and innovation throughout the region.
Located in the heart of Runcorn, VR Warehouse has quickly become a top virtual reality experience centre and a popular family-friendly destination. Its success reflects a growing demand for immersive entertainment that appeals to a wide range of people, from young children to adults.
Key features that set VR Warehouse apart include:
The centre emphasizes inclusivity through a carefully curated selection of games suitable for children aged 8 and above. This approach ensures younger visitors can safely participate while still offering challenging and entertaining content for older guests.
The blend of technology and accessibility makes VR Warehouse stand out among other attractions in Cheshire, catering effectively to families seeking innovative entertainment options.
By combining cutting-edge VR technology with engaging experiences designed for all ages, VR Warehouse maintains its reputation as a leader in immersive VR experiences within the region.
VR Warehouse has a wide selection of VR arcade games suitable for both kids aged 8 and above and adults. With something for everyone, our collection includes:
In addition to our VR offerings, we have free retro arcade machines featuring 36 classic games. These beloved favorites provide entertainment for all ages, whether you’re waiting between VR sessions or simply want to relive some nostalgic moments.
At our centre, we also have advanced BHaptics vests that enhance your gaming experience. These vests provide tactile feedback synchronized with in-game actions, allowing you to feel impacts, vibrations, and environmental effects as you play. This innovative technology takes immersion to a whole new level, making each game session more thrilling and unforgettable.
We’re proud to announce that our VR experience centre has been recognized as a finalist in this year’s Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards. This achievement is a testament to our diverse range of game options and top-of-the-line equipment.
VR Warehouse offers tailored options for parties and group booking VR arcade experiences, providing full private use of all their virtual reality setups. Whether you’re organizing a birthday party, corporate event, or special celebration, you can secure exclusive access to the entire venue. This creates a unique environment where groups can enjoy a wide variety of immersive VR games and simulators together without interruptions.
The centre’s group VR experiences are designed to foster shared excitement and teamwork. You and your guests can explore thrilling multiplayer games or engage in parallel individual challenges across different VR zones. This flexibility makes VR Warehouse an ideal destination for both family gatherings and social outings with friends.
A standout offering is the summer holiday club, crafted especially for kids aged 8–14. These affordable drop-off sessions last three hours, packed with virtual reality adventures, motion simulators, and free access to retro arcade machines. Priced at just £30 per session, this program gives parents a well-deserved break while kids immerse themselves in cutting-edge entertainment within a safe, supervised setting.
Such group activities and special programs build lasting connections between visitors and the venue. They encourage repeat visits by creating memorable moments that appeal to diverse age groups, reinforcing VR Warehouse’s role as a vibrant community hub in Runcorn.
The Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category features several notable contenders alongside VR Warehouse, each bringing a unique flavor to Cheshire’s tourism landscape.
Comparing these finalists highlights the diversity present in Cheshire’s small visitor attractions: VR Warehouse excels in high-tech virtual reality immersion; Escapism Chester offers mentally stimulating escape rooms; The Hole In Wand Chester delivers an inventive outdoor quest blending culture and technology. This variety enriches the region’s appeal by catering to different interests—from tech enthusiasts to puzzle lovers and cultural explorers—ensuring there is something compelling for every visitor type.
A VR experience centre has been named a finalist in this year’s Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards, marking an important milestone for VR Warehouse. This recognition goes beyond just an award. It raises the centre’s profile within the competitive tourism sector, positioning VR Warehouse as a leader in innovative, immersive entertainment.
The finalist spot signals strong momentum for VR Warehouse within Cheshire’s evolving tourism landscape, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for innovation and community engagement.
The award ceremony is set for March 5th, 2026, and will take place at the beautiful Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington. This prestigious event will gather the region’s leading tourism professionals, business owners, and community figures to celebrate outstanding achievements in Cheshire and Warrington’s visitor economy.
Winning the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category could open doors far beyond local recognition:
Such benefits position VR Warehouse not just as a local attraction but as a trailblazer in immersive entertainment within the broader UK tourism landscape.
A VR experience centre has been named a finalist in this year’s Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards, highlighting its role in the region’s tourism growth and innovation. The awards ceremony takes place on March 5th, 2026, at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington—an event not to be missed by anyone interested in the future outlook of VR experience centres and their impact on local tourism.
You can:
Supporting such innovative attractions helps drive continued success in Cheshire’s £3.9 billion visitor economy, ensuring immersive entertainment remains a key part of the region’s tourism landscape. Keep an eye on VR Warehouse as it pushes boundaries and sets new standards for immersive experiences.
