A new retro gaming venue in Sheffield has received licensing approval to sell alcoholic beverages, overcoming objections from public health officials and an addiction recovery service concerned about its location directly opposite a treatment facility. The recovery organization Waythrough, which serves approximately 4,100 people annually, raised concerns that close proximity to licensed alcohol sales could trigger relapse among clients undergoing rehabilitation, with staff having already spotted alcohol advertising on the building.

Retrodome's operators accepted several conditions to address these concerns, including relocating the entrance to the building's rear away from the treatment center, removing alcohol promotion from street-facing surfaces, and obscuring windows overlooking the street. The licensing committee determined that the venue's business model—a paid-entry family entertainment space with no gambling offerings and alcohol representing at most 25 percent of revenue—combined with these measures, justified approval. Council members also noted that other licensed premises and alcohol retailers already operate within walking distance, questioning whether proximity concerns alone should prevent a legitimate business from operating.