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South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
New rage room comes to Newport and we tried it out
'The Combat Zone' located in the Kingsway Centre offers a range of fun activities including airsoft, axe throwing, Nerf battles, and a rage room, and being an Argus staff member I headed straight to that rage room! Slots for the rage room were a total of 15 minutes each. We were then decked head to toe in red boiler suites and given leather gloves and protective facemasks. What happened next was absolute chaos. Weapons of destruction at Newport's new rage room (The Combat Zone) (Image: NQ) We were encouraged in a space of 15 minutes to break as many items as possible as fast as we could. Objects available to break ranged from glass bottles and tiles to household items like a flat screen TV, wooden cabinet, and even a washing machine (the flatscreen TV was our personal favourite). Staff at the rage room egged us on 'have you tried smashing it like that?' and 'remember that TV isn't your friend', which made us even more determined to embrace the chaos. A range of 'weapons' were available including metal and wooden baseball bats and hammers. Our Argus volunteer hitting a TV at Newport's new rage room (The Combat Zone) (Image: NQ) Alongside staff encouragement we were also given the option of connecting to the room's Bluetooth speakers. Rage room enthusiasts could pick whatever song they'd like to smash things to. We quite enjoyed cracking a few bottles against the wall to Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.' The experience itself cost £50 and in our eyes was worth it. A grand opening took place on Saturday May 26. Newport locals and husband and wife duo Claire and Gary Taylor 44 and 47 are the masterminds behind 'The Combat Zone.' The Combat Zone owners Claire Taylor and Gary Taylor (Image: NQ) Speaking of their first day Claire said: 'We'll we were very nervous this morning but really happy now. 'It's been absolutely amazing we've had so many people coming in that hadn't booked and brilliant interest excellent feedback so a really good morning.' Gary said: 'For me it's got to be the rage room people are going bonkers for it, and to be fair there seems to be a lot of angry people out there." Claire added: 'Come down see what we are about it's something completely new for Newport something like Newport's never seen before.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Center business picking up steam again after 3 years of rebuilding
Darl Berkshire remembers sitting in the Berkley Event Center three years ago and hearing a loud pop. There had been strong winds the night before. He and family members who help run the event center heard another pop. Then, the roof began to sag. The crew moseyed out of the building and watched as the building's original 1975 roof collapsed, brining most of the structure down with it. It was a tough sight. It was the family business. They had been setting up for a substantial indoor yard sale, a part of Royal Center's Pioneer Days, when the roof came down. The building's collapse also on the tailwinds of COVID-19 lockdowns, when supply chain issues brought things like construction to a sluggish pace. Throw in some complications with building permits, and it wound up taking a total of three years to get the event center back up and running. Now, Berkshire said, the event center has nearly doubled in size and the new renovations are steadily hosting more and more events as the Royal Center business picks up steam. The 4,800-square-foot event space is able to host somewhere around 300 people at one time. The business hosts things like auctions, birthdays, farm toy shows, art shows and has hosted one wedding so far with another coming in about a year. It's starting to fill up with graduation parties, too, Berkshire said. 'Basically, we're set up for almost about anything,' Berkshire said, pointing out the center's speakers, lights, handful of television screens and DJ station. Among the most memorable events to Steve Raderstorf, the event center's general manager, was a birthday party Nerf war. The event center had recently finished an auction, and used the old boxes to make a fort for the kids. The event center also has a kitchen, he pointed out, that serves dishes from his mother's recipes and is able to host caterers. His mother chimed in to explain her Spanish sauce is likely the most popular item on the menu. She gets final say on all the dishes before they're ready to serve. Berkshire explained the family purchased the event center after he got a back injury working at the Small Parts factory in Logansport. They started with auctions. Berkshire's older brother and sister-in-law had already been running bingo at the American Legion so, after a while, they decided to move the games to the event center. Then Berkley Event Center re-opened in February, the owners celebrated its return with bingo night. The weekly games bring in a decent crowd, Berkshire explained, with people coming in from surrounding counties. Participants have to be 18 or older to play, and the oldest regular is a 102-year-old who has instructed everyone to refer to her simply as 'Grandma.' Bingo is hosted every Sunday, barring major holidays, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and the early bird games set to begin at 1 p.m. $25 covers nearly every game, Berkshire added. The event center's pull tabs are also fairly popular, Berkshire explained. According to the owners' largest supplier, Berkley Event Center sells the most pull tabs out of any nearby community with a comparable population. Running the event center has been a bit of a learning experience, Berkshire explained. The key bit, he's found, is simply knowing how to work with people. He added it isn't too unusual for the staff to help customers however they can, even if that means grabbing a blanket to make someone more comfortable. Pricing for events varies depending on a few factors, such as if customers want a DJ or provided food, Berkshire explained. To book an event at the Berkley Event Center, call 574-643-2222. 'The main thing we want to get through to everybody is we're here and we're not here to gouge,' Raderstorf explained. He later added, 'We want this to work and want families to get back together. That's the main thing.' Berkshire agreed. 'Our root cause for everything is family oriented,' he said, explaining the name Berkley is a cross between the owners' last name and 'family.'
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The Entertainer launches HUGE sale with price drops on hundreds of toys including Hot Wheels, Lego and Minecraft
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE ENTERTAINER has launched a huge sale with prices cut across hundreds of toys including favourites Hot Wheels, Lego and Minecraft. The toy shop's biggest ever price drop event has seen the cost of favourite brands and characters slashed by up to 60%. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 The Entertainer has launched a huge sale Credit: Alamy Prices have been reduced across a total of, 784 toys so you're sure to find something that will delight every youngster. The big names toys to have seen massive price cuts include Barbie, Lego, Nerf, Disney and Hot Wheels. Andrew Murphy, group chief executive officer of The Entertainer, said: 'We understand that many household budgets are still under huge pressure, and we want to help them stretch as far as possible, providing unbeatable value to our customers whether shopping in our stores or online.' Here are some of the biggest price reductions you can find online and in-store: READ MORE IN MONEY CLOSING TIME Major discount store with 178 shops confirms it will shut two more sites Furby galaxy glow in the dark electronic pet 7 Furbys have attracted another generation of fans after their rerelease Credit: The Entertainer Savings include 40% off the Furby galaxy glow in the dark electronic pet. The price of the must-have toy has been reduced from £74.99 to £44.99, a massive £30 off. The same toy is advertised for £75 at Argos and £74.99 at Hamleys. Reviews of the toy posted to The Entertainer include: "It's durable and well made. It does so many cool stuff - dances, copycat mode, light show. You can even ask it questions. Would definitely purchase as a gift." Four tricks to save cash at Home Bargains Nerf N Series infinite blaster 7 Nerf toys are long-time favourites of kids Credit: The Entertainer The Entertainer has also cut the price of a Nerf N Series infinite blaster by 50%. The discount cuts the price of the foam dart blaster from £39.99 to £19.99, a saving of £20. Argos is currently advertising the blaster for £25, while Smyths is matching The Entertainer's price of £19.99. One reviewer said: "My son loves it as it carries so many bullets without having to reload time and time again. He has been playing non stop stacking his tins high and then shooting them down one by one." Stitch 20cm soft toy 7 This Stitch toy has been reduced by a massive 60% Credit: The Entertainer With the release of the Stitch movie scheduled for later this month, movie merchandise can be expected to fly off the shelves. And, The Entertainer has cut the price of this Stitch toy by 60%. Previously priced at £14.99 you can now pick one up for £5.99, a saving of £9. The soft toy makes two different sounds when youngsters press its paw. With the release of the movie imminent there are a huge number of Stitch toys being sold right now so be sure to shop around to find the best for you. For example, right now The Works is selling a similar TY Stitch soft toy for £6. Hot Wheels city bat loop attack playset 7 Hot Wheels is just one of the big name brands included in the sale Credit: The Entertainer The Entertainer has cut the price of a number of Hot Wheels toys, including this city bat loop attack playset. The set has been reduced in price by 30% from £22.99 to £15.99, saving customers £7. The toy allows kids to launch their cars through the loop to knock off the bat and it will fit in with existing tracks. The same kit is being sold by Argos for £18 and Moonpig for £21. Barbie gymnastics playset 7 This gymnastics playset has been reduced in price as part of the sale Credit: The Entertainer A number of Barbie playsets are included in the sale, including this gymnastics one. The set includes a gymnast doll with two outfits as well as a balance beam and accessories. The price has been cut from £34.99 to £19.99, saving customers £15. John Lewis and Amazon are both selling the same playset for £19.99, but at Argos it's scanning for £34. Mega Bloks big building bag 7 Get building with this set of 60 blocks Credit: The Entertainer Kids as young as one can get building with Mega Bloks large, easy-to-use blocks. The Entertainer has cut the price of this 60-block bag by 50% from £15.99 to £7.99. The price drop could save you £8 at the till. A reviewer said: "Nicely made, lovely colours and a good choice of shaped pieces." A similar 60-block Mega Bloks set is being offered for £10 at Sainsbury's, but the brand has many different size sets so it could pay to shop around and find the best for you. Its always worth researching prices across different retailers to make sure you're getting the best value for money. Websites like PriceSpy and even a quick scroll on Google Shopping can help you make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck. And don't forgot to factor in delivery costs when considering which is the best price. The Entertainer is not the only store cutting the price of kids' toys with Lidl set to launch a middle-aisle garden toy bonanza from May 25. Parents were also delighted this week when Farm Foods slashed the price of a fun Lego set. And, Asda has slashed the price of a parenting essential that no toddler should be without. How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
145% vs. 30%: Hasbro exec breaks down how the 'pleasant surprise' of Monday's China deal changed the company's plans
On Sunday, the toy maker Hasbro was preparing big changes to contend with triple-digit tariffs on Chinese imports. By Monday, all of those calculations were different. Gina Goetter, Hasbro's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, said that President Donald Trump' s decision to temporarily lower tariffs on China from 145% to 30% drastically altered the company's plans. She called the announcement a "pleasant surprise" at JP Morgan's Technology, Media, and Communications Conference. "A 30% world is very different from a 145 on how we're treating decisions like pricing, how we're treating allowances, how we're working with our retailers on promotions," Goetter said at the conference on Wednesday. Agility, she said, has been key in making decisions in the current environment. Hasbro, which produces Nerf guns and Play-Doh, had been planning to change the pricing of some products when the 145% tariffs were in place, Goetter said. Now, many of the pricing moves have been paused, though Goetter said some will still go through where it makes sense. "What Monday's announcement allows us for is to go back to those products where we were taking pricing and be very thoughtful," she said. Beyond upping some prices, Hasbro had planned to stop making some products altogether because the new manufacturing math simply didn't work. Goetter said on Wednesday that the company had also been planning to take an unprecedented move and produce some items only for international markets. Plans to reconsider manufacturing are now themselves being reconsidered, Goetter said. Hasbro makes many of its board games in the US, she said, and though the company is "actively exploring" what else it can produce domestically, Monday's announcement changes that calculus as well. Ultimately, Goetter said the math is just quite different, at least for now. Hasbro had previously predicted that 145% tariffs could shave off $180 million from the company's yearly net profits, and Goetter said that the new 30% tax brings that closer number to between $50 and $70 million. Given that the current agreement is temporary and the trade environment remains volatile, Goetter acknowledged that no decision is final.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police across US issue warnings about ‘senior assassin' game: What is it?
(NEXSTAR) – Police departments across the country are issuing warnings to high school students partaking in their local 'senior assassin' games, some of which have resulted in serious injuries and arrests. Usually played by departing high-school seniors, the game tasks students with seeking out their fellow seniors and eliminating them from play by attacking them with squirt guns or other toy weapons. 'You are assigned a target and you have to go get your target out with a water gun, and there's also someone targeting you,' Carter Lennie, a student in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, told Nexstar's WGN of the rules. Those who take the game too far, however, can end up injuring themselves or their friends, officials say. Students deliberately short-circuiting school laptops as part of social media trend Isaac Leal, a 17-year-old high school student in Texas, suffered a serious injury just last month after reportedly hanging from the back of another student's Jeep while playing the game, police in Arlington confirmed to Nexstar. Leal's mother told Dallas' KXAS the driver reversed her vehicle and drove away with Leal still on the back. 'She hit a dip and that's where I was told, allegedly, he flew off the Jeep and hit his head,' Raquel Vasquez, Leal's mother, told the outlet. Leal was still fighting for his life this week, KXAS reported. Carrying a toy weapon — even one that may appear to be an obvious toy up close — can also cause concern among residents who live in the communities where these games are played. Police departments across the country have reported an influx of calls from concerned citizens reporting armed strangers on their property. Law enforcement officials in Utah said last month that some of these citizens had armed themselves after seeing an unknown, seemingly gun-toting figure wandering near their home. (Students have been known to play both on-campus and off.) In February, one teenager in Florida was even shot by an off-duty cop while holding a water pistol in a Nassau County homeowner's yard, NewsNation reported. The teen is expected to recover, police said. There have also been reports of students equipping themselves with not just water guns, but with toy guns designed to fire gel- or water-based pellets. 'While these gel projectiles may seem harmless, they can cause serious injury,' a sergeant with the Fort Lupton Police Department in Colorado said this month, per Nexstar's KDVR. 'Even more troubling is that I personally witnessed high school students today hanging out of moving car windows and shooting other students on public roadways.' 'Worst thing you could do': Viral video shows 'irresponsible' driver causing Ohio pileup Participants can also get themselves into legal trouble, depending how — and where — they play. Another student in Utah is facing a terrorism charge after allegedly charging into a hospital with a Nerf gun while chasing a classmate, Nexstar's KTVX reported earlier this month. Police said the incident nearly prompted a lockdown of the facility, according to the station. To minimize risks of injury or arrest, police in jurisdictions across the country have issued warnings or guidance for participants, telling them to use only brightly colored toy weapons, and to stay away from school grounds and private property. Police are also urging participants to carefully consider their actions and behavior while playing the game, and decide if the game's reward — which may be cash, a prize, or just bragging rights — are worth putting themselves in physical danger or legal trouble. 'We hope that parents can speak with their kids about the dangers of this game and the possible consequences,' one police department in Massachusetts advised, after a student was recently seen waving a toy gun from a moving car. 'While we understand this game is for fun, we want to remind the public that this game must be played responsibly and that it will result in a police response when we receive calls of this nature.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
