Keighley to have its own edition of classic Monopoly game

The version will feature landmark buildings and locations across the town.

Keighley Town Council is working on the initiative in partnership with Winning Moves, which designs and produces Monopoly games on behalf of Hasbro.

The board will be developed over the summer, ready for a pre-Christmas launch.

Some locations have already been chosen to feature – including the cenotaph, Dalton Mills, Keighley Library, the town hall, Bronte Parsonage Museum, East Riddlesden Hall, Cliffe Castle, and several stations on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

But people are being asked to suggest other sites for potential inclusion.

And ideas are also sought for Chance and Community Chest cards.

Bradford Council is supporting the venture, with district councillors Caroline Firth and Alex Ross-Shaw joining town mayor Councillor Gulfraz Hussain, town clerk Joe Cooney and Keighley Towns Fund chair Tim Rogers on a panel with the task of whittling down suggestions for the final 35 squares and 32 cards.

Councillor Hussain says: “Keighley is being presented with an opportunity often reserved for larger cities, and what an incredible project for Keighley Town Council to be a part of. I’m thrilled about this initiative, and am confident that the residents of Keighley will embrace it with as much excitement as I do.”

Councillor Ross-Shaw – Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport – says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Keighley during our year as UK City of Culture and I’m delighted to be part of the team bringing it to life. Keighley has so many fantastic places and there’s no better way to celebrate them than by putting them all on a Keighley Monopoly board.”

Mr Rogers said: “A key part of development is promotion and awareness of a place. In this respect Keighley will now be part of a new market, with a dedicated audience of Monopoly fans.

“As we see Government distribution of taxpayers’ money into the town, combined with the Bradford 2025 City of Culture year, we are able to say to investors and existing companies that Keighley is a place for future growth.”

People should submit their suggestions for locations and landmarks to be included, and Community Chest and Chance cards, via the town council website at keighley.gov.uk by May 16.

Any businesses interested in pre-ordering boards at a wholesale price should email [email protected]