A household have opened an leisure centre that transports guests to the more and more well-liked world of digital actuality after being impressed by TikTok movies.

Reporter Alex Langridge headed to Orb Virtual Reality, in Gravesend, to strap on a headset.

It was once a tanning salon however the lamps are lengthy gone.

The retail unit, nestled between the Wheatsheaf pub and a barbers off the one-way system, in Darnley Road, has been given an overhaul by supervisor Humaira Farooq and her household.

Where tans had been as soon as topped up now stands state-of-the-art gaming expertise that makes this one of many first venues of its type in Kent.

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I decide to check out one in all its unique video games – a 360 VR chair.

It includes placing on a VR headset and getting strapped right into a seat much like a rollercoaster.

And identical to a rollercoaster, it may well spin and switch you the wrong way up.

Options embody both a 360 or 180 diploma journey or numerous video games. I attempted one of many extra well-liked video games the place you’re transported into house and need to shoot down enemy ships whereas being flung left, proper and sideways.

Humaira warned that it was one in all their extra intense video games however being a lover of rollercoasters I assumed I’d be effective. I used to be mistaken.

It lasted for six minutes however that was sufficient to have me feeling sick all night. That mentioned, it was extremely enjoyable whereas I used to be on it.

The graphics and sport mode was spectacular to the purpose you overlook the place you’re and are immersed into the world you’re taking part in.

And that is the entire level. Humaira mentioned the leisure hub was set as much as supply a totally immersive VR expertise.

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As effectively because the 360 VR chair, the centre has escape rooms, an arcade, a “full-motion” racing simulator and a roam room, the place guests can wander about in a digital setting taking part in video games.

The household, who additionally dwell within the space, already had an curiosity in VR expertise however had been impressed to make it right into a enterprise after it seeing movies on TikTok of individuals attempting it out.

Humaira mentioned: “The technology is so expensive, it is not accessible to everyday people. We wanted to create a safe space for people to use it.

“We had this concept simply earlier than Covid hit and had the house to do it. We thought if we don’t do it now it will likely be irrelevant as a result of the business modifications a lot.

“At so many points we were asking ourselves if we should do it but it is something we have wanted to try as a family and we knew there was not anything like this here.”

Humaira, who manages the enterprise alongside together with her older brother Ali Farooq, 25, mentioned the household had performed VR experiences in London and needed to carry that to their dwelling city.

“We have grown up in Gravesend so we wanted to bring something to the town rather than anywhere else,” Humaira added.

“Everyone says there is nothing like this here so we wanted to bring this investment to the town and give people another reason to visit.”

Humaira mentioned the venue is among the first fully-immersive VR centres within the county, providing a very completely different expertise to what’s already on the market.

The 22-year-old added: “It has been popular and the responses from people have been really good.

“Everyone finishes the video games, takes the headset off and can’t consider they’re nonetheless in Gravesend.

“I think people are curious of what VR is as opposed to being scared of it. We have had so many people come in and around 90% have not done it before.

“We have had a variety of prospects are available to only ask what’s going on after strolling previous and seeing what’s inside.”

Some of the games are commercial and will be well-known by customers but others have been developed by technology companies with input from the family so it is tailored to their customers.

“The potentialities are limitless with VR. It is consistently altering so each time individuals come again it will likely be completely different,” Humaira added. “We are hoping to get some extra expertise.

“Our long-term goal is to open up more locations across Kent but for now we are focussing on establishing ourselves here and expand this site first.”

Orb Virtual Reality is open on weekdays, excluding Tuesdays, from 2pm to 9pm and till 10pm on Friday and weekends from 11am to 9pm.