Leamington Spa edition of Monopoly officially launched and now on sale
By James Smith
26th Oct 2023 | Local News
Pass GO and collect the brand new official MONOPOLY: Royal Leamington Spa Edition game, which has been launched earlier today (October 26) in dramatic style.
At the game's 'Big Reveal' in the town, a gigantic life-size replica of the board was rolled out – along with a red carpet - as Mr MONOPOLY joined the town's mayor to countdown the launch at exactly 10am as the game hits the shops.
"We have been wonderfully spoiled for choices putting this game together," says Ella Gibbs from Winning Moves UK, who are producing the board under license from Hasbro.
The Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr Alan Boad – who attended the launch at Royal Leamington Spa College - said: "Leamington Spa is steeped with history having been declared 'Royal' by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1838.
"Our town is famous for its fabulous Regency architecture and outstanding parks.
"The Royal Pump Rooms was a centre for its mineral springs bringing people far and wide to take its waters. It became a fashionable watering place in late Georgian England and is still a building of beauty today.
"I'm delighted with the national recognition MONOPOLY is bestowing, with us beating off other very worthy towns to get our own official game, Putting the town, I proudly serve, Royal Leamington Spa, squarely on the Monopoly map!"
The game is themed in sets - from heritage to tourism, shopping to entertainment – and more.
The four train stations from the classic MONOPOLY original proved a challenge for the MONOPOLY makers as the town only has one main-line station.
In the end, the quartet of MONOPOLY prime estate take on a travel theme – so adding another theme to the sets.
In all over 30 Royal Leamington Spa landmarks are being honoured on the board.
The Royal Pump Rooms get to land in the top ranking set, whilst the Queen Victoria Statue takes up occupancy on 'Old Kent Road', at the other end of the board. Inbetween are the "great and good" of the Regency town – adds Ms Gibbs – including the Royal Spa Centre, Royal Leamington Spa College, The Parade and Town Hall.
Intriguingly Leamington's bustling Regent Street appears on the Bow Street square from the classic London MONOPOLY original game, in the orange section of the board.
There is a Regent Street in the famous MONOPOLY London original but in this edition it is North Leamington School which gets to feature on it, in the green section of the board which takes on an education theme.
"Regent Street on Regent Street would have been an easy fit," explains Ms Gibbs from Winning Moves UK.
"But maybe a too easy one had we done it!
"That's because the game is themed in sets and in the orange section of the board - which is the most landed on because of its' position in terms of its location to the Jail - we wanted to have a shopping theme in keeping with lots of players landing in that section of the board, as lots of people shop in Leamington's great shopping destinations."
The launch of the game took place at Royal Leamington Spa College, which is part of college group WCG (Warwickshire College Group).
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, says: "We are delighted to be hosting the unveiling of the new official Leamington MONOPOLY board at Royal Leamington Spa College.
"The college is at the heart of the community in Leamington and the perfect setting to host an event celebrating the organisations and locations which make this vibrant town great.
"It's fantastic that Leamington has been selected to be the latest town to feature on what is a truly iconic board game, and we're thrilled to have a spot on the board."
Earlier this year it was announced that Royal Leamington Spa is getting its very own official version of the world's most popular board game. At the time, the public was invited to send in suggestions for landmarks and organisations of the Regency town to feature in the game.
Ella Gibbs, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK, adds: "The response from the public has been overwhelming. A very big thank you to everyone who sent in nominations."
Three charities also get to 'Pass GO'. They are: Myton Hospices, Helping Hands and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, whose Graham Kensett says: "We're delighted to be on the board."
"The town of Royal Leamington Spa played a very pivotal role in helping us establish our iconic guide dogs service in the UK. We would like to say a big thank you to our staff volunteers, supports and members of the public, who took the time to vote for us to secure our place on the board."
Each of the three charities attended the launch today – and were each presented with a board.
Over the last 25 years Winning Moves UK has produced official versions of MONOPOLY from Palm Springs to Phuket and Dubai to Dublin. Now the MONOPOLY dice have landed on Royal Leamington Spa!
The MONOPOLY: Royal Leamington Spa Edition is for sale now at Waterstones, WHSmith, The Works and Ryman. The game is also extensively available online, including at Booghe.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk
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