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Ipswich to 'Pass GO' with new Monopoly edition this Christmas

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Ipswich will receive its own custom edition of the iconic board game – 19 years after the last edition in 2006 – as Norwich misses out.

Why it matters: Ipswich outpaced rivals Norwich and eight other locations to secure its place on the board as Monopoly celebrates its 90th anniversary.

The details: The announcement took place at 10:00 this morning (Thursday, 27 February) at The Cornhill in Ipswich town centre.

Ben Ladd Gibbon from Winning Moves UK, Councillor Elango K. Elavalakan, Mayor of Ipswich, and Mr. Monopoly were present at the event, which features props including gigantic money, enlarged property cards, and top hats.

Monopoly Game logo
Ipswich will receive its own custom edition of the iconic board game – 19 years after the last edition in 2006

What they're saying: "Ipswich ticks every box," said Ben Ladd Gibbon, Custom Games Partnerships Manager at Winning Moves UK, who cited "Sense of Family" and "Civic Pride" as key factors in the selection process.

By the numbers:

  • This marks Monopoly's 90th anniversary

  • The game is played by over one billion players in 114 countries

  • There are more than 300 culturally relevant editions worldwide

Mr Monopoly outside the Town Hall with Ipswich Central, the Mayor of Ipswich and Tom Mumford
Mr Monopoly outside the Town Hall with Ipswich Central, the Mayor of Ipswich and Tom MumfordSophie DebenhamIpswich.co.uk

What's next: The public will be invited to suggest Ipswich landmarks and organisations to feature in the game, with popular nominations expected to include:

  • Ipswich Waterfront

  • Portman Road

  • The Cornhill

  • The Ancient House

Dig deeper: The board will be themed around heritage, tourism, entertainment, leisure, business, and travel – all reflecting Ipswich. Unlike the previous version, all three Community Chest squares will feature local charities.

How to participate: Nominations for landmarks and charities can be submitted by email to ipswich@winningmoves.co.uk from 10:00 on 27 February until 23:59 on 12 March 2025.

The bottom line: The new Monopoly: Ipswich Edition will hit shops in time for Christmas 2025.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

St Stephens Church, The Baths and The Smokehouse in Ipswich

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Martlesham pub makes history with record-breaking pint pour

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The Douglas Bader has etched its name in the history books after participating in the largest simultaneous pint pour ever recorded.

Why it matters: The Martlesham Heath pub was one of 114 venues nationwide to set a new Guinness World Records title, showcasing the growing demand for both traditional and alcohol-free draught beer options.

The Douglas Bader in Martlesham, Ipswich
The Douglas Bader in Martlesham, IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

How it happened: The nationwide "The Big Pour" event took place on 7 April, with publicans connecting via video call to pour pints of Heineken and Heineken 0.0 in perfect synchronisation.

  • Participants had just 10 seconds to complete their pours under the watchful eye of an official Guinness World Records adjudicator

  • The Douglas Bader was among pubs from across the UK, ranging from Scotland to Surrey, that took part in the record attempt

The bigger picture: The event celebrated Heineken installing its 1,000th alcohol-free draught tap in UK pubs.

  • This milestone makes Heineken 0.0 the most widely available alcohol-free beer on draught in the country

  • The company says it now has more alcohol-free draught installations than any other brand

What they're saying: Lawson Mountstevens, Managing Director Star Pub at Heineken UK, said: "Part of the ritual of going to the pub is watching your pint being freshly poured from the tap – the tilt of the glass, the smooth cascade, and mouthwatering anticipation of the first sip."

  • "This draught experience is central to pub culture, and for non-alcoholic beer to become truly mainstream, it needs to be part of that experience"

  • "It needs to be poured from the tap like any other pint, not just another option in the fridge"

The bottom line: The Douglas Bader's participation in this record-breaking event highlights Ipswich's place in brewing history while reflecting changing consumer preferences in the pub industry.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

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