Addressing the Representation Gap in Nottingham’s Gaming Scene

I’ve been following the discussion around this article, and as a professional working within the tabletop industry, much of it resonates deeply. Residing and working in Nottingham (often considered the "Lead Belt") I’ve experienced these systemic issues firsthand.

The dismissive attitudes highlighted in the piece, particularly the quotes from industry veterans, mirror my own professional experiences at trade shows and during interviews. There remains a persistent, exclusionary narrative that female wargamers are a statistical anomaly, which effectively renders our presence invisible.

Since returning to Nottingham in 2020 to further integrate into the local gaming culture, I’ve noticed a significant infrastructure gap. While the city excels at game creation, there is a distinct lack of inclusive, accessible spaces for indie wargaming. This is especially true for minority groups. To address this, I have been working to establish a dedicated space for women in wargaming; however, securing a suitable monthly venue remains a significant hurdle.

Nottingham has the talent and the history, but we need to ensure our local community spaces are as diverse and innovative as the games we produce.