June 14th 2007 - TOWN TO GET OWN MONOPOLY BOARD (East Grinstead Courier)

East Grinstead is to get its own version of Monopoly, it has been revealed this week.

Sackville College, St Swithuns Church and East Court could appear on the popular board game which is due for release in October this year.

The town's "fine architecture, sense of identity and family values" impressed Winning Moves UK, the official licensee for regional variations of the board game.

Mark Marriott, the company's commercial director, said: "We drew up a shortlist of about 30 towns the length and breadth of the UK and East Grinstead came out on top.

"It has real charm and really caught our imagination.

"It is fair to say we were captivated."

The town becomes only the second in Sussex to have its own monopoly board - Brighton being the other - and East Grinstead Monopoly will be the final regional board produced this year.

But before the game hits the shelves of WH Smiths, Woolworths and Waterstones in London Road, residents will have the chance to vote for the streets and landmarks that make up the board.

Mr Marriott added: "The game will reflect the essence and spirit of East Grinstead. "We shall be throwing the whole voting over to the people who know best, the great East Grinstead public."

Over the next few weeks the public will be asked to vote for places and roads to replace the traditional squares such as Mayfair and Park Lane.

One man certain to get behind the campaign is Lee Quinn who has been instrumental in getting a Monopoly board for the town.

He told the East Grinstead Courier that originally the town had been vying for one square on a special edition board, but it was decided the town deserved more.

"This is something that can involve everyone in the town," said Mr Quinn, who is also involved in the town's football and rugby club, as well as Meridian radio.

Although there are some parts of the board that cannot be changed, one thing Mr Quinn is hoping to get altered is the free parking square.

"We can't have free parking because in East Grinstead that doesn't exist," he said.

A sub committee is due to be set up including representatives from various organisations in the town but Mr Quinn wants to ensure people see this as a community affair.

"East Grinstead is a community, this is a community project. It is where you live, where you work and now you can own a part of that community," he added.

Winning Moves UK will be setting up a special vote line for residents to call in and vote for their streets. The company is due to announce the details next week.