LEAMINGTON is being put squarely on the Monopoly map.
The town has been selected o have its very own version of the classic board game.
It came out top in a ten-strong region wide shortlist beating among others, Warwick, Solihull and Gloucester.
Leamington’s celebrated Royal Pump Rooms are tipped to land on either the game’s top ranked square Mayfair – or the famous Monopoly Water Works location.
But the public will get to decide and shape the board, with a two-week consultation period lasting now underway.
London-based games company Winning Moves UK will produce the Monopoly: Royal Leamington Spa Edition game.
Ella Gibbs, custom games executive at Winning Moves UK, said: “Royal Leamington Spa has a plethora of leading landmarks to fill the board. We expect to be wonderfully spoiled for choice putting this game together.”
The news has also received a warm reception from key figures in the town.
Leamington mayor Nick Wilkins, said: “Leamington is steeped with history having been made “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 has bestowed on us, with us beating off other very worthy towns. Putting the town, I proudly serve, Leamington, squarely on the Monopoly map.”
Coun Mini Kaur Mangat, chair of Warwick District Council, added: “It’s really exciting that Leamington has been selected as a location for the famous game of Monopoly. I very much hope that the new edition not only captures our rich history, beautiful parks and buildings, but also the highly creative, innovative and culturally diverse town we see today.”
And Stephanie Kerr, executive director of BID Leamington, said: “It is fabulous that our town will be celebrated in such a high-profile game in this Coronation year. It is also fitting that we are home to incredible games development talent and innovative board game cafes such as ‘The Dice Box’. We are really looking forward to seeing the final board take shape following the nomination of squares.”
The new board will see Leamington landmarks such as the Royal Pump Rooms, Jephson Gardens, the Town Hall and the Royal Spa Centre replacing the likes of ‘Piccadilly’ and ‘Park Lane’ from the classic Monopoly London original. The Chance and Community Chest cards will also be customised.
The sets will be themed in genres. From heritage to tourism, the arts to business, shopping to leisure and more, including a ‘travel’ set in place of the four Monopoly train stations, as Leamington only has the one main line station.
There may even be a ‘silicon’ set in recognition of the thriving gaming industry in and around the town, which has led to the nickname ‘Silicon Spa’.
The game will hit the shops by October, but before it goes into production, people are being invited to suggest Leamington landmarks and cards to feature in the game.
Suggestions can either be emailed to [email protected] or submitted via the official Royal Leamington Spa Monopoly Facebook page.
Submissions close on March 23.
