Tamba Arcade May Make a Comeback in Jersey

Jersey Entrepreneur Eyes Revival of Tamba Arcade in New Location

A Jersey businessman is considering reviving the much-loved Tamba Arcade in a more central location, away from the island's redeveloped Waterfront.

Jonathan Ruff, known for ventures like Tamba Park and Ruff’s Kitchen, sold his Waterfront arcade in 2019 but says he misses running it—and believes the time could be right for a comeback.

“The Waterfront's pretty dead, isn’t it?” he said. “I’ve got my eye on a building in town with more foot traffic. I thought I’d ask islanders on Facebook if they’d be interested.”

Ruff is envisioning a modern take on a retro-style arcade, where players would still receive physical tokens but from more interactive, activity-based games.

Ruff noted that Jersey's limited building space makes such large-scale projects difficult.

“It’d be nice to offer multiple activities under one roof, but we just don’t have the space here for that sort of thing,” he said.

He also dismissed the idea of partnering with the government for a Fort Regent arcade, bluntly stating, “I’d rather chop my right arm off than deal with the States of Jersey.”

If plans go ahead, Ruff says the new arcade and café could be ready within three months, offering islanders a fresh blend of nostalgia and modern gaming.