Article
Leeds Celebrates MONOPOLY Heritage with a Great Game Giveaway
Chapter 81
Leeds is sharing its love of games with the next generation, as 800 copies of new MONOPOLY games are being donated to local schools, youth groups, and hospitals. This follows the highly successful MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover, a summer event which animated the city with the world-famous board game.
LeedsBID, in partnership with Child Friendly Leeds, Leeds Libraries, and Leeds Hospitals Charity, is distributing these games as part of a legacy project to continue celebrating the city’s vital role in the history of MONOPOLY. The games, which include MONOPOLY Longest Game Ever and the MONOPOLY BID card game, have been generously donated by Hasbro, the company behind one of the world’s biggest games brands.
MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover, which ran for five weeks across the city centre, drew over half a million participants who explored themed zones, solved puzzles, and played mini-games, all while learning about Leeds’ special connection to the world’s favourite board game. Leeds was the home of Waddingtons, the company which produced the UK version of MONOPOLY and made the London properties famous. The takeover explored 22 key locations, with a huge 8-10% increase in footfall resulting in £6.6 million spent in city centre businesses.
Now LeedsBID is hoping to reach as many young children as possible with the opportunity to enjoy the games.
Adults L-R, Sarah Towns, LeedsBID, Sadiya Salim and Rowan Beaumont from Child Friendly Leeds and Helen Stella McDonald from Leeds Hospitals Charity plus children from Blenheim Primary School and Rosebank Primary School receiving MONOPOLY games.
Children from Blenheim Primary School and Rosebank Primary School receiving MONOPOLY board games. Credit: Elouisa Georgiou Photography
“MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover was very much about celebrating the heritage of this world-famous game in our city alongside creating an inspiring family-friendly immersive summer activity. Thanks to this generous donation from Hasbro, we hope younger generations across the city can continue to enjoy the game in its various formats, helping to tell the story of MONOPOLY and its link to Leeds. ”— Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:
“MONOPOLY and board games are part of the unique story of Leeds, so it’s fantastic to see that a new generation of children and families will have the opportunity to learn more about that story while playing and having fun.
“Throughout the summer, this fabulous initiative brought thousands of people together to enjoy and explore the city in a new way. We’re hoping over 300 Leeds learning settings will now take up this generous offer, so hopefully even more young people will now have the chance to take part.”
Laura Buckle-Williams, School Business Manager, Rosebank Primary School said:
“A big thank you to Child Friendly Leeds, Leeds Central Library, LeedsBID and Hasbro for the MONOPOLY games – they will be a great addition to our lunchtime board games club and allow our children to learn and play!”
The game donation forms part of a broader legacy left by the success of the summer event. Leeds City Museum now houses a permanent Waddingtons exhibition, a Leeds Civic Trust blue plaque has been unveiled to honour Norman Watson—the first UK MONOPOLY player—and a specially commissioned mini-documentary by Chapter 81 offers a lasting insight into the history of MONOPOLY in Leeds, which can be viewed here.
Any Leeds schools interested in claiming any free games can contact leeds.libraries@leeds.gov.uk and quote their nearest community hub & library which will be in touch to arrange collection.
Children from Blenheim Primary School and Rosebank Primary School receiving MONOPOLY board games. Credit: Elouisa Georgiou Photography