They’re making an Exeter version of Monopoly but nowhere is crap enough to be Old Kent Road

The makers of Monopoly are lost for the first time in its 100-year history – after Exeter said it is so nice it didn’t have any streets suitable for “Old Kent Road”.

Our hallowed city is due to get its own version of the iconic game but local dignitaries including the council leader say it is too high brow for the budget end.

The makers of the game said thousands of votes from the public have suggested landmarks across the city which could fill more expensive slots like Park Lane.

High end game zones have been easily filled with the likes of the city’s Gothic cathedral, Exeter Castle, a Guildhall and a modern shopping centre.

But Exeter has outdone all previous cities to get their own board – including Oxford – in the poshness stakes with no suggestions for the lower end.

Go out onto the High Street, turn right, go past John Lewis. There’s your Old Kent Road

Games makers said they have developed boards for cities across the country but have never come across the current dilemma.

Leader of Exeter City Council Pete Edwards said there were no areas suitable for the brown spot, which costs players just $60 (£40) to buy.

He said: “I think they will have a problem – there is nowhere cheap in Exeter which would be suitable for the Old Kent Road spot.

“I don’t know about being the poshest – but it is such a nice city that no-where really deserves to occupy it.

“The board was designed on the streets of London and it is a nigh on impossible task to replicate that in Exeter.

“Whoever does get Old Kent Road will be castigated for it – and will not deserve it.”

Look how nice it is

Exeter has a growing reputation as an aspiration city and made headlines recently for opening Britain’s poshest student flats in the city centre – costing £1,000 a month.

There are several more luxury developments planned, and the influx of well-heeled students – together with the arrival of big name brands like John Lewis in recent few years – has seen a resurgence in the city centre.

There has also been a recession busting array of hotels, shops, restaurants and businesses opening up.

Mayfair?

Resident Nicola Taylor, 32, of Exeter, said: “Exeter has certainly got posher over the years and I don’t think there is anywhere that deserves the tag of Old Kent Road.

“I think the influx of rich students has had a lot to do with it with a lot of luxury developments and money being brought in.

“I wouldn’t say that most locals are particularly posh – but just proud of the area they live in.”

Gamemakers are now asking the public again if there is ANY Exeter landmark which can replace Old Kent Road and bosses were sent to the city today to hunt a location down.

Try the other side of the river too, it’s AWFUL

Dan Taylor, Head of Custom Games at Winning Moves UK said: “Over the years we have produced boards for perceived well-heeled places – such as Oxford, for example – but we have never come across a situation like this.

“We have had a dearth of suggestions for an Exeter equivalent of Old Kent Road compared to every other location so Exeter could well be the poshest place in Britain.

“But we have to fill this space. As we do every one of the 22 locations from the London original is handed over to an Exeter landmark or address.”