Harrogate has won a UK ‘beauty contest’, seeing off 49 towns (yes 49!) across the nation to land a brand new official version of MONOPOLY, it will be announced later this week.
The Georgian spa town, whose famous waters were discovered in the 16th century, has beaten off places like Leamington Spa and several places in the Lake District nationally – as well as Whitby, Skipton, Wetherby and Hexham regionally – in a UK ‘beauty contest’ to land its very own Harrogate MONOPOLY Edition
New that Harrogate is ‘Passing GO’ will take place amongst the daffodils and crocuses in Harrogate’s showpiece Valley Gardens at 10.30am this Thurs (28th March 2019).
Following the announcement, the public will be invited to vote for Harrogate landmarks to feature in the game, which will be themed in sets: from shopping to heritage, hotels to sport, education to business, charity to travel – and lots more. There may even be a WATER set .. bearing in mind Harrogate’s famous spa town status.
The Stray, Valley Gardens and the Turkish Baths Harrogate all look set for spots on board. Turkish Baths, Harrogate could end up Water Works! And the game almost uniquely could feature TWO jails on different MONOPOLY spaces: The traditional MONOPOLY jail and the Tudor dungeon jail – a tourist magnet these days – at ancient Knaresborough Castle, which dates back to 1130 AD.
Games bosses could also be fielding calls for a coffee house on every corner of the board – on the basis there seems to be coffee rooms on every Harrogate street corner in real life
Mr MONOPOLY is heading north from his London HQ to break the news at Valley Gardens. There will be personnel from the game’s makers Winning Moves UK, along with representatives from the borough council including leader of Harrogate Borough Council Councillor Richard Cooper, each available for interviewing, filming and photographing.
Cllr Cooper said:
It’s often said that Harrogate hosts some of the most expensive properties in the country. Well now everyone will be able to own a piece of the North’s happiest town. Our area is already world-renowned for its famous brands – Bettys and Taylors, Harrogate Water, Farrah’s toffee and many more.
We are also known for hosting international sporting events like the Tour de France and the UCI Road World Championships this September. Our tourist attractions and grand buildings are magnets for people from far afield.
Now the globally loved board game MONOPOLY will showcase all that is great about our area – already I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!.
Jake Houghton, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK – who are producing this board under official license from MONOPOLY owners Hasbro, said:
Harrogate’s extremely high current cachet and visitor magnet status has made it absolutely irresistible for us to produce this board.
Harrogate has emerged as a leading UK tourist venue – generations after it was THE spa centre of the North. It’s enjoying the most wonderful renaissance.
