Montrose gaming café levels up community impact with support from Business Gateway
A Montrose-based gaming business is bringing people together and expanding its community reach thanks to ongoing support from Business Gateway.
Redcap Games, founded by Luke Brown and partner Stacey in October 2023, has quickly established itself as a welcoming hub for gamers of all ages and abilities. Built on the ethos that “there is always a seat at our table”, the business combines a retail store, gaming café and events space, offering everything from board games and trading cards to tabletop roleplaying games and miniatures. Designed to appeal to both gaming enthusiasts and the wider public, the café creates an inclusive environment where anyone can feel comfortable spending time.
Alongside its in-store offering, Redcap Games hosts a wide range of events throughout the week, including gaming sessions and tournaments, quizzes, meetups and figure painting. The café operates a free-to-play model, encouraging customers to try games from its extensive library before making a purchase, helping to make gaming more accessible to the local community.
The team also works closely with the local council to support groups with additional support needs, creating a welcoming space where individuals can connect, build confidence and take part in activities. Alongside this, Redcap Games runs a volunteering programme that offers local people valuable learning and development opportunities, with a number of volunteers progressing into paid roles within the business, helping to create clear pathways into employment.
Since launching, the business has expanded its impact across the wider Angus and Aberdeenshire community, delivering after-school gaming clubs in six schools throughout the region. These sessions introduce young people to tabletop roleplaying games, encouraging creativity, teamwork and social connection, while supporting wider community engagement.
Business Gateway has supported Redcap Games from the outset, providing guidance on business planning and marketing, alongside ongoing support through the Growth Advisory Service from adviser George Ellis. This included signposting to Angus Council funding, with the business securing £2,000 from the SME Start and Grow Business Grant Scheme to invest in staff uniforms and gaming packs, supporting the rollout of its after-school clubs.
Additional support connected the team with DLR Media to strengthen online advertising and social media engagement, while specialist support through the Expert Help programme has enhanced digital systems, improved the Shopify storefront and streamlined back-end processes, supporting the business as it continues to grow.
Looking ahead, the team is now planning to expand into a larger premises, creating a space that brings together a café, dedicated gaming area and retail offering. The move will also allow Redcap Games to further enhance its accessibility, including the development of a more sensory safe environment where customers can relax and enjoy the space.
Luke Brown, owner of Redcap Games, said: “Redcap Games started from a simple idea, bringing people together through a shared love of gaming, and it’s been amazing to see how that has grown into a real community hub. Whether it’s in the shop or through our school clubs, creating a space where people feel welcome and included is what it’s all about.
“Business Gateway has supported us at every stage, from shaping the initial offering to helping grow and expand the business. The advice, funding support and digital guidance have made a huge difference, particularly in allowing us to invest in our school clubs and reach more young people across Angus.”
George Ellis, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Luke and Stacey have built something truly special with Redcap Games, creating a business that not only succeeds commercially but also delivers real value to the local community. Their focus on inclusion and connection is at the heart of everything they do.
“Our role has been to support that vision with practical guidance, from early planning through to growth and expansion. It’s been fantastic to see the business evolve, and I look forward to supporting them as they explore further opportunities for the future.”