New version of Bristol Monopoly to hit shops later today

The new Bristol edition of the Monopoly board game is set to hit shops today (November 9).   

Around 30 of Bristol’s ‘finest’ landmarks are being honoured on the board in all. The Clifton Suspension Bridge gets to land on the top ‘Mayfair’ spot, while College Green takes up occupancy on ‘Old Kent Road’ at the other end of the board.  

In between the top ranked and most affordable squares are the ‘great and good’ of the city, including Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the University of Bristol, Bristol Airport, Bristol Shopping Quarter, OVO Energy, Bristol Pride Festival and Hargreaves Lansdown.    

Three charities - the Grand Appeal, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre and Empire Fighting Chance - will also appear on the board, following a public vote. 

The game is themed in sets – from heritage to tourism, entertainment to education, and more. The train station squares take on a ‘travel theme’, including balloons and the airport.     

The Chance and Community Chest cards are customised as well. One card fines players for exceeding 20mph in the city centre, while another rewards players with a scholarship to attend the University of Bristol.  

Earlier this year, it was announced that Bristol was getting its own updated version of the world’s most popular family board game – 23 years after the original edition.  

John Keen-Tomlinson, custom games executive at Winning Moves UK, said: “The response from the public has been overwhelming. A very big thank you to everyone who sent in nominations.

“Clifton Suspension Bridge is ‘Mayfair’ by popular demand. It appeared in the 2000 edition game but not as prominently. This time around the message from the public was loud and clear, ‘it must be Mayfair!’ 

“As for College Green, it dates back to medieval times so it’s very fitting to replace ‘Old Kent Road’ with it. It’s also very high profile – just like Monopoly’s most affordable square.”    

A gigantic life-size replica of the board is being rolled out at the game’s ‘Big Reveal’ at OVO Energy, where Mr Monopoly will join Acting Lord Mayor, Cllr Steve Pearce to countdown the launch at exactly 10.30am on November 9, when the game officially hits the shops.   

Monopoly: Bristol Edition will be for sale at Waterstones, WHSmith, The Works and Ryman. The game will also be extensively available online and at Bristol Museums’ shops (as well as pre-orders/orders via shop.bristolmuseums.org.uk). Every purchase from the Bristol Museum shops supports the city’s museums.