Shropshire Star

Roll the dice: Shrewsbury could get its own Monopoly board

Wyle Cop, Kingsland, Pride Hill and Longden Coleham Pumping Station could be set to follow Regent Street, Park Lane, and Oxford Street – all immortalised on their own Monopoly board.

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Shrewsbury has been shortlisted as one of five towns that could get its own version of the classic British board game, the staple of titanic battles and guaranteed festive family fallouts.

The custom version will see 22 properties tailored to the winning town, along with Community Chest cards which will also be given a heavy local flavour.

  • Votes should be sent to westmidlands@winningmoves.co.uk

  • Or write to Monopoly West Midlands, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NP

  • Polls close at midnight on February 29

  • An announcement of the winning location will be made in the spring

Fleet Street could become Bellstone as it is the base for the town's Shropshire Star office and Trafalgar Square with its column to Nelson could be The Square with its statue of Clive of India.

Monopoly bosses in London have shortlisted five places in a region-wide 'beauty contest', with the winning location guaranteed to 'Pass Go' to land its very own Monopoly board later this year. It would add to the list of special versions of the game, which include Wolverhampton, Manchester and even Alton Towers.

Polling starts today and the other shortlisted towns are Gloucester, Royal Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick.

The place that emerges with the "most pride" say Monopoly bosses will get their own board, which will see 22 customised property sites swapping places with the likes of Mayfair and Park Lane from the Monopoly original.

"Each are extremely strong contenders," says Natasha Rebuck, custom games development executive at Winning Moves UK, who are making this official version of Monopoly under license from Monoploy owners Hasbro.

She added: "We originally began with a list of 12, but have shortlisted these down to five."

"The factors that will decide are two-fold.

"Firstly the strength of popular feeling and pride for a particular place.

"Secondly, the diversity and beauty of potential landmarks to fill the board. So it's in effect a beauty contest – to borrow a celebrated Monopoly phrase – with the only difference being there is no prize for coming second, just first".

Many of the Chance and Community Chest playing cards will be heavily customised too. Perhaps players will win tickets to Shrewsbury Flower Show if they get a card. Others could pick up a Get Out of The Dana Free pass.

Shrewsbury Mayor, Councillor Miles Kenny said: "This is a fantastic idea. Shrewsbury has some wonderful and mind-boggling names which would make wonderful spots on a Monopoly board such as Murivance, Mardol, Shoplatch and Dogpole."

Salopian alternatives to the original game

Dana Prison in Shrewsbury

Straight to Jail – The Dana which was home to hundreds of prisoners since 1793.

Trafalgar Square – It may not have Nelson's Column but The Square does boast a statue of Clive of India.

Whitehall – Shirehall, where all the decisions relating to the governing of Shropshire are reached.

Bond Street – With its high-end shops and one-off boutiques Wyle Cop is the place to be seen.

Oxford Street – High street chains make Pride Hill the one-stop shopping destination.

Water Works – The historic Longden Coleham Pumping Station once cleaned the waters of Victorian Shrewsbury.

Mayfair – Porthill is all about location, location, location.

Park Lane – The swanky Kingsland area of Shrewsbury is home to some of the town's most plush houses.

Electric Company – BT House on Town Walls makes sure that communications get through.

The Angel Islington – London Road leads all traffic to the heart of the town.

Old Kent Road – Abbey Foregate is the gateway to the medieval heart of Shrewsbury.

Bow Street – One of Shrewsbury's most historic streets is Butcher Row.

Fenchurch St Station – Oxon Park and Ride brings people in from the west side of the town.

Marylebone Station – Harlescott Park and Ride delivers shoppers in from the north of the town.

Liverpool Street Station – The Victorian Gothic arches of Shrewsbury Railway Station make it the transport hub of the town.

King's Cross – Shoppers wanting to leave their cars on the east side of town can catch the bus at Meole Brace Park and Ride.

Do Not Pass Go – Shrewsbury Castle with its dungeons could lock up players.

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