When we shared the news this week that Merry Hill was set to open a ' fun-packed entertainment experience ' in the last remaining unit left empty by Debenhams, filled with arcade games, escape rooms and mini golf, one reader got in touch to pose a question. Over on our Facebook group, Sammie Newell asked: "Never mind arcades and crazy golf, what's happened to all the shops?" We thought it was a really good question. Read more: 23 photos showing inside huge new Space NK store at Birmingham Bullring Read more: New 'luxury glamping resort' opens in Birmingham in an unlikely place Over the past few years, it's been clear to us following new openings in our biggest shopping centres that more entertainment venues - specifically 'competitive socialising' spots - have popped up in units left behind by failed shops. Merry Hill Debenhams is now only a third retail (Harvey Norman). The other two thirds are taken up by a leisure club (XF Gym) and the last chunk by this new arcade . Meanwhile, half of the old Debenhams in Birmingham's Bullring centre is now dedicated to fun and games too. Toca Social, an interactive football arcade and bar, moved in last year , occupying the upper two levels, with the lower two filled by Marks and Spencer. It came following the successful launch of Sandbox VR in the old Select clothes shop in Grand Central. And it's not just Merry Hill, the Bullring and Grand Central giving over shop space to 'fun' ventures. Last summer at Touchwood, 'ultimate gaming bar' Spinners took over the old The Stable restaurant unit. Even 'regular' retail stores are introducing 'play' areas where customers are invited to spend time having fun. Space NK is among them - it moved in to the Bullring on Thursday, August 14 and it's revealed plans to open one of its 'beauty dreamland' shops in Touchwood before the summer's out as well. EE has invested £3m at opening 'Experience' shops with play zones and places to sit and drink coffee in UK high streets this past year. There's one in the Bullring now, and at Merry Hill too . So why are shopping centres introducing so many new things 'to do' in spaces once occupied by traditional shops? Here's what three of our region's biggest destinations said: Jonathan Poole, centre manager at Merry Hill told BirminghamLive that evolving its offering was key to securing the centre's future. He said: "Merry Hill has evolved significantly in recent years. We're no longer just a place to shop, but a regional destination where every visit offers something new to discover. "Our millions of visitors want more choice and variety, so we modernised our offer to include more leisure and lifestyle options – from the UK debut of XF Gym to our thriving new leisure mall with Hollywood Bowl at its heart. "Visitors come to Merry Hill as a deliberate choice, often travelling some distance with a clear purpose. Increasingly, that purpose is leisure-led, but we're confident that those visiting for shopping or dining will also be inspired to explore our growing line-up of experiences. "That's why we've placed such a focus on creating moments that go beyond retail including tailored, high-profile events like our immersive QR treasure hunt this summer and exciting new openings such as the new M&S Food Hall and Funstation later in the year. "For us, this is about creating a place where people choose to spend their time, connect with others, and come back again and again. "This evolution is central to our future, and it's clear our customers are embracing the destination we've become." Paul O'Brien, director of leasing and commercialisation performance, said that the city centre destinations had adapted to meet the expectations of visitors. He told BirminghamLive: "Consumers now expect city destinations to provide a range of experiences to engage them, and at Bullring we have curated an exciting mix of best-in-class retail, leisure, culture and art to entertain, inspire and connect people to their communities. "As part of our flight to quality strategy we introduced a diverse range of leisure concepts to Bullring, from interactive football experience, TOCA Social, to virtual reality gaming pioneers, Sandbox VR, boutique bowling brand, Lane7, and Treetop Adventure Golf. "These operators have had a tangible impact on Bullring's success, helping to create a relevant and successful destination where people want to spend time, socialise, enjoy different experiences and return to time and again. "By blending a world-class retail and hospitality line-up with engaging leisure experiences in a city-centre location, Bullring now plays an even bigger role in the lives of 50 million visitors that come each year." Touchwood's general manager Tony Elvin started working at the 'shopping centre' more than seven years ago, but his background was entirely in hospitality. He said that he was brought in to enhance the centre's leisure offering in particular, elevating the customer experience and 'applying a hospitality style approach to service'. Tony told BirminghamLive: "When Touchwood opened in 2001, people dined while they were shopping. Now they go shopping to eat, drink and socialise increasing dwell time and perpetuating something we call the 'Big Day Out' shopper. "They stay longer and spend more. Maybe it’s a family trip that includes a game of bowling, lunch and some impulse purchases, maybe it's a mum-and-daughter day out, catching up over some shopping, a movie and a bottle of wine over lunch. "These are by far and away our most valuable visitor. Experience-led and eat-and-drink missions now account for almost a quarter of centre visits and deliver around two-and-a-half times the average spend." Tony added that some 69% of Touchwood guests visiting for click-and-collect shopping go on to spend a further £72 there on average because of its hospitality and leisure offering. He said that Spinners had 'added to the overall leisure offering at Touchwood' and that it had been 'driving additional sales and footfall for our stores, bars, coffee shops and restaurants'. "Consumers, especially families and Gen Z, prioritise experiences over goods," Tony said. "Competitive socialising offers shareable, repeatable reasons to visit and to bring groups along to the centre. "Touchwood is at 99% tenant occupancy but will continue to evolve to meet guest demands. Shopping centres aren't going away any time soon. "As well as leisure, you are now seeing shopping centres host schools, colleges, medical facilities, office developments, council services and police stations etc. all driving footfall and physical retail spend."