In this interview, arcade historian Alan Meades, who is principal lecturer in the School of Media, Art, and Design at Canterbury Christ Church University, provides an overview of the history of British arcades and surveys his own efforts to document and study seaside arcades. The historical trajectory from traveling showmen to static seaside arcades and the role of gambling help define Britain’s distinct arcade culture. Through his documentary and historical work, Meades helps to decenter the youth-focused arcade of the 1980s United States as the quintessential coin-op experience. Here, he covers the historical trajectory from traveling showmen to static seaside arcades. He also reflects on his own methods, including the fraught position researchers often occupy as they work to record the histories of individuals, businesses, and even families, collecting stories that are often surprising in their intimacy. Ultimately, this interview offers insights into the history of British arcades and raises provocative questions about the practice and ethics of historical research.
