Last chance to submit names for Swindon Monopoly game

Is Swindon too “posh” for an Old Kent Road equivalent on the new Monopoly board for Wiltshire’s largest town?

The special limited customised edition game for the town was announced on 21 March. Since then the public has been voting in their thousands and the polls close at midnight on Friday 12 April.

But what is baffling games’ maker Winning Moves is why there are so few votes for Swindon's most moderately priced site on the board, priced at just 60 Monopoly notes.

Dan Taylor, right, Monopoly Manager at Winning Moves UK, which is licenced by Hasbro to produce the special game, said: “The town appears to be well blessed with potential Mayfair’s, which is the top price site on the board. From Steam Museum to Lydiard Park and from The County Ground to The Magic Roundabout the votes have been pouring in. Also doing very well is The Wyvern Theatre and Coate Water Country Park.

"But the equivalent of Old Kent Road? There have been hardly any suggestions. Perhaps Swindon is too posh to have an low value street on the new board?”

The board will hit shop shelves this October in time for Christmas. Dan reveals it will feature “the great and good” of the town. He added: “We're very excited – without the public this board could not be produced. We would like to formally thank everyone for all their wonderful suggestions. Please keep them coming."

The identities of the vast majority will be kept under wraps until the board is launched. But Dan revealed that suggestions have been coming in from all over world to include the famous Magic Roundabout. “It has got a few votes for being Old Kent Road on the board – but it has also been nominated too to be Mayfair (the most expensive site on the board, price: £400 Monopoly notes).

The Mayor of Swindon Michael Bray eyes the cash when playing Lord Bolingbroke (deceased) at the launch of the Swindon Monopoly game at Lydiard Park on 21 March. Photo: Richad Wintle

The spirit and shape of this customised edition will remain the same as with the traditional Monopoly board game, in that the playing pieces will stay the same as will the rules and the four corner squares (GO, Jail, Free Parking and Go To Jail). 

Nominations for landmarks and famous streets – as well as general suggestions - ends at midnight on 12 April 2013. Send them to www.facebook.com/swindonmonopoly

or via email: [email protected]

The new MONOPOLY: Swindon Edition will be available from October in time for Christmas – very extensively online and at all good toy and book stores – including at: Amazon.co.uk, Toys R Us, Waitrose, Waterstones and WH Smith. 

Photos: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com