IT IS the innovative venture in the heart of the city centre.

When Board in the City opened in Southampton organisers had no idea how popular their games café would be.

Six months on, the former pub in Onslow Road sees 200 people a week come through the doors and sends staff out to groups around the city on outreach programmes designed to enhance strategic thinking and communication skills.

Now, with the venture still in its early stages, it has launched a crowdfunding page to help it through the summer months.

As a community interest company, Hayley Binstead, 44, and her team of dedicated staff and volunteers are determined to put any money they make back into the service.

As well as games geeks, students and families, the café is open to all and determined to keep costs down so that anyone can use the resource - no matter their background.

Hayley, a former teaching assistant from Freemantle, said: “We are offering a service that supports people with mental health issues. We have 22 volunteers and nine paid members of staff and 90 per cent of our team have some kind of barrier.

“Our murals have been painted by someone who was so lacking in confidence that he had to hide away in the kitchen but now has the confidence to paint these beautiful murals.

“We initially started charging £6 entry which included a free drink and unlimited time here. But people complained so we put the price down to £3.

“We are reporting about a ten per cent growth month on month but we have set up a crowdfunding page to help with running costs.”

You can donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Board-in-the-City

As reported by the Daily Echo, the former Dorchester Arms pub was a controversial venue with a history of incidents including a mass brawl involving 20 people in 2014.

The Board in the City team renovated the interior in return for a rent-free period and the venue now boasts a bespoke Dungeons and Dragons "escape room" with cos play costumes for role play, more than 200 board games for customers to play, baby changing facilities, a barbecue area and is fully wheelchair accessible.

Gamers can also create their own games and have them play tested and all staff members have been put through basic food hygiene courses, with management also offering first aid and appropriateness in the workplace training.

And if your worst nightmare is a missing piece in your favourite game, the team conducts a weekly inventory, contacting manufacturers who are more than happy to supply replacement pieces.

Donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Board-in-the-City.