Advance to Lydiard Park. Collect £200 for passing go (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon set to get it's own version of Monopoly

8:50am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Michael Benke

THE MAGIC Roundabout could soon be the most valuable property in the town and residents could be fined for going to Oxford.

These are all possibilities in a new Swindon version of monopoly which is due to be released later this year.

Board Game manufacturers Winning Moves have been granted the licence from Hasbro to produce a Swindon version of the legendary game.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Swindon will soon be immortalised in the board game,” said Graham Barnes, a spokesman for Winning Moves.

“Swindon can ‘pass go’ and become part of an elite group of places to have their own monopoly board.”

Winning Moves have also announced that local residents will get to decide which places in Swindon have the honour of a place on the famous board.

“There will be 22 places up for grabs but there are 22,000 possible locations in Swindon which could make it,” said Graham.

“Mayfair is obviously the most coveted property but all of them are prestigious.”

“There will be no limits on which places in Swindon are eligible. There is nothing to stop the County Ground or the Magic Roundabout.”

There are also plans to customise other parts of the game to give them a Swindon feel.

Plans are in place to introduce fines for going to Oxford and the four railway stations will be replaced with local transport based squares.

“There has been a lot of demand for a Swindon version so it’s great to be finally making this exciting announcement, and I am especially thrilled that my home town is getting the full official Monopoly treatment in this way.

“The town is rich in crown jewels.”

People will be able to go online and nominate their choices as well as their suggestions for ways Winning Moves can give the game a Swindon feel.

To make a suggestion you should visit www.facebook.com/ swindonmonopoly or email swindon@winningmoves.co.uk The company are open to suggestions until April 12 when production will begin ready for an October release, extensively online, and all toy and book stores.