Why Shrewsbury is king of the Monopoly castle
Shrewsbury has won a UK ‘beauty contest’ – seeing off 24 other places across the nation to land its very own official version of Monopoly, it has been announced today (Thursday 2 May 2019).
Monopoly – the Shrewsbury Edition.
The medieval market town, which boasts more listed buildings (600+) than almost anywhere in the UK, has seen off 24 rivals nationally – including Telford, Ludlow, Hereford and Chester regionally – in a UK ‘beauty contest’ to land its very own Monopoly Edition.
It will be the first time any place in Shropshire has ‘Passed GO’.
The official announcement that the Monopoly dice are to roll on Shrewsbury took place at the imposing Shrewsbury Castle at 10.30am this morning as Mr Monopoly (in costume) declared the announcement from atop the castle, which overlooks the ancient town.
“We want to shout this one from the rooftops,” says Jake Houghton, from the game’s makers Winning Moves UK.
Pictured from left to right: Alan Mosley, Shrewsbury Town Council’s Leader; Mr Monopoly; Jake Houghton from the game’s makers Winning Moves UK and Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure.
Following the announcement, people have now been invited to vote for town landmarks like Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury Castle, Quarry Park, The Charles Darwin Statue and the Old Market Hall to feature in the game, which will be themed in sets.
Property sets are expected to span the worlds of heritage, tourism, shopping, festivals, entertainment, education, business, charity, travel – and lots more.
And the board almost uniquely could feature two jails on different Monopoly spaces: The traditional MONOPOLY jail and the Dana Gaol – a tourist hotspot these days.
Games bosses could also be fielding calls for a coffee house on every corner of the board – on the basis there seems to be coffee rooms on every Shrewsbury town centre street corner in real life!
Jake Houghton, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK – who are producing this board under official license from MONOPOLY owners Hasbro Inc. – says:
“Shrewsbury’s extremely high current cachet and visitor magnet status has made it absolutely irresistible for us to produce this board.
“Shrewsbury is a leading UK tourist venue – generations after it was the centre of the Midlands in medieval times. It’s enjoying the most wonderful renaissance. Its hundreds of listed buildings makes it a perfect fit for Monopoly – as everyone knows, which is based on houses and hotels on iconic properties.. We are absolutely sure we will be wonderfully spoilt for choice putting this game together.”
The board will hits the shops this October in time for Christmas.
Today Shrewsbury civic and tourist leaders praised news of the new game.
Councillor Peter Nutting, Shropshire Council’s leader, says:
“We’re so pleased that Shrewsbury will now have its very own iconic board. As well as being the birthplace of the father of evolution, Charles Darwin, the town is blessed with an abundance of great landmarks such as the Castle, Market Hall and Quarry Park – the game makers will be spoilt for choice!
“Shrewsbury is a town which is steeped in history, well-loved by locals and well-known to visitors – and we have ambitious plans for its future.”
Alan Mosley, Shrewsbury Town Council’s Leader, says:
“With iconic places like the Flaxmill, the Quarry, the Castle, the Railway Station and Lord Hill Column, it is hardly surprising that Shrewsbury has been chosen as the next Monopoly location.
“This is extremely exciting for the town and its promotion as a place to live work and visit and it has sorted out what my family will be receiving for Christmas.”
Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, says:
“This is excellent news for Shrewsbury!
“We would urge everyone to vote for their favourite landmark, hotel, coffee shop, attraction or even gaol!
“We know we have beaten off stiff competition from many other towns and from cities regionally and nationally and we’re looking forward to attracting more visitors to the town following the Shrewsbury Monopoly launch this October.
“I’m sure it will be on many Christmas wish lists this year!”
The new board will be available at all major retailers, as well as very widely online including Amazon.
Shrewsbury saw off 24 other UK cities and towns in a search by games bosses to find Britain’s most beautiful town. There is a famous Community Chance card in the original Monopoly version which says: ‘You have won Second Prize in a Beauty Contest.” Well Shrewsbury has now very much won FIRST prize! Nationally Leamington Spa, Chester and several towns in the Lake District were eclipsed by Shrewsbury charms. Regionally Ludlow was pipped by Shrewsbury to the MONOPOLY post. “Ludlow came 2nd, “ adds Mr Houghton.
How to vote for your favourite landmark to feature in the game
Votes for Shrewsbury landmarks and cards to feature in the game via three ways:
- By email to: shrewsbury@6starpr.co.uk
- To the official Shrewsbury Monopoly Facebook page.
- Good old fashioned post, to: Shrewsbury Monopoly, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NJ
Polling started at 10.30am today (2 May 2019) and closes exactly one month later on 1 June 2019.
About Hasbro Inc.
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including Nerf, My Little Pony, Transformers, Play-Doh, Monopoly, Baby Alive and Magic: The Gathering, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
