Exeter Monopoly board launches

The city dubbed too posh to have an Old Kent Road on its own official Monopoly board, launched today (Wednesday 14 October), is to be honoured with TWO "Mayfairs".

Exeter hit the national headlines earlier in the year, as social media went into overdrive, after it was claimed Devon’s ancient capital city was just too well-heeled to have its’ own equivalent of Old Kent Road. This square is the most moderately priced location on the world’s favourite family board game.

The Monopoly: Exeter Edition will be launched in spectacular style today, as a gigantic replica of the board is unveiled in the city centre at exactly the same time as the game hits shop and online shelves. At that time it will be announced in full for the first time along with the following key locations:

• Exeter Cathedral – this will be revealed as having landed on the board’s most desirable site, Mayfair.
• University of Exeter - this takes Bond Street which, according to newspaper reports earlier in the year, these days commands higher rentals in real life than any other Monopoly street, including Mayfair. 
• Exeter Chiefs – this will be announced as leading a sports set. Many of the sets are themed including heritage, culture, education, travel (replacing the train stations) and sport.

Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, who is attending the launch, says: “I am absolutely thrilled that the voting public has chosen Exeter to be represented in a special edition of the world’s most famous board game - in the very year that the game is celebrating its 80th year! This is great news for Exeter, and I for one am extremely excited about seeing the final board revealed”.

Dan Taylor, Head of Custom Games at Wining Moves UK – who have produced the board under official license from Monopoly owners Hasbro – says: “Thank you to everyone who voted for this great board. In effect there are two Mayfairs on the Exeter board which is fitting bearing in mind the debate it is too posh for an Old Kent Road.

“We are extremely proud of Old Kent Road in general. It has a very high cachet even if returns are moderate. Because of the moderate returns we feel also it will deter any development on Exeter’s oldest and arguably one of the most picturesque roads.”

The Very Revd Dr Jonathan Draper, Dean of Exeter, says of the Cathedral’s top Mayfair spot: “We are very pleased that the people of Exeter have chosen their Cathedral for one of Monopoly’s most desirable locations. It’s wonderful that the city’s most iconic and historic building will occupy such a prime position on Exeter’s brand new Monopoly board.”

Also at the launch will be two charities who appear on the board too.  The Exeter Deaf Academy who ran the “most imaginative campaign of all” to get on the board including YouTube videos and Age UK Exeter, whose Director Martyn Rogers says:

“We are really looking forward to the launch- it will be a great opportunity to celebrate the arrival of Exeter’s very own MONOPOLY board. We are so proud to appear on the board alongside the city’s landmarks and organisations – it really does mean a lot to us!”.

Age UK Exeter appear on a Community Chest square, with Exeter Deaf Academy on a Chance site. Their CEO and Principal Jonathan Farnhill says:

“As one of the city’s oldest charities, we are thrilled that the Deaf Academy will feature on Exeter’s new MONOPOLY board. It’s fantastic that the community got behind our campaign and we’re delighted to be included in this exciting chapter of Exeter’s history.”

In all, 22 Monopoly property sites take on an Exeter flavour and feel, with the Chance and Community Chest playing cards heavily customised too.  The four train stations from the original London board take on a ‘travel’ theme and are St David’s and Central train stations, the airport and the bus station.

The board will be available at all good toy and book stores from Wednesday at Toys R Us, The Works, Waterstones and WH Smith. The board will also be widely available online, including Amazon.co.uk