The Story of Waddingtons: Fascinating new documentary reveals how Leeds firm brought Monopoly to life in UK
A fascinating new film has revealed the inside story behind how a Leeds-based firm brought Monopoly to life in the UK.
The 30-minute documentary, that is available to watch now, features compelling interviews with experts on the history of the famous game and its links to this vibrant northern city.
Waddingtons first produced Monopoly in the UK in 1932, from its factory on Wakefield Road in Hunslet. The manufacturer was an industry leader in board games and playing cards, with around 3,500 employees at its peak, half of whom were based in Leeds.
John Watson, a former Managing Director, is at the centre of the new documentary ‘The Story of Waddingtons’, which has been produced by Chapter 81 and LeedsBID.
He told the YEP: “Britain is a world leader in the development of gaming - and Leeds is its central city.”
In the engrossing film, he shares entertaining tales from his family history, including an anecdote about how the locations were chosen for the board game’s English version.
Norman Victor Watson, John’s grandfather and a former managing director at Waddingtons, spent a day in London choosing the perfect streets. But John said: “The thing was, he didn't know London!
“The cheapest properties at that time were probably around Mile End or the Docklands, but he decided it should be Old Kent Road. I'm sure that will have irritated some of the people who lived there.”
Similarly, the decision to make Mayfair the poshest area in the game proved prophetic. At that time, it would have been populated by offices, but is now prime capital for millionaires.
An adept Monopoly player himself, Mr Watson revealed that the game is a “balance between skill and luck”.
“I'm very good at it,” he confessed. “Monopoly isn’t like chess, which is entirely about skill. I would say that Monopoly is 60 per cent luck and 40 per cent skill. There's a hell of a lot to it. People have even written books about it.”
When asked about the enduring nature of the game, he said: “Monopoly satisfies very basic material needs.
“Everyone wants to have money, own property, and perhaps charge people rent for the properties they own. There's something basic about that.
“When someone wins, they always believe it's because they were the best player. Everyone else thinks that the winner was just lucky! It's also a highly interactive game.”
In addition to Mr Watson, the film features insights from two other prominent figures who shed light on Leeds' historical and cultural significance.
Kitty Ross, Curator of Leeds History at Leeds Museums and Galleries, provides a deep dive into the city’s past, exploring how Waddingtons became a cornerstone of Leeds' industrial heritage.
Professor Robert Shail, Director of Research at Leeds Beckett University, offers an academic perspective on the broader cultural impact of Waddingtons and its role in shaping the leisure activities of generations.
The release of the film follows the hugely successful Monopoly Leeds Takeover, that transformed Leeds city centre into a giant version of the board game.
It saw more than 100,000 people pick up free maps that they used to find huge tokens and solve tricky puzzles in order to win prizes.
Andrew Cooper, Chief Exec of LeedsBID says “The Waddingtons and Monopoly story is an incredible part of the history of Leeds.
“We were delighted to be able to further enhance our Monopoly animation this summer with such a fascinating and compelling story and honoured to have former Waddingtons MD John Watson at the front of the campaign.
“Hearing stories of Churchill and the company and how they also missed out on Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit are only some of the memorable moments in this brilliant film.”
Simon Fogal, Founder of Chapter 81, said: “Creating our first feature-length film has been an incredible journey, and it's an honour to start telling the story of Waddingtons and its profound connection to Leeds.
“This project allowed us to delve into the city's rich history and celebrate the legacy of a company that played a significant role in the lives of so many. We’re thrilled to share this piece of Leeds’ heritage with the world.”
The film is available to watch on YouTube now.