The traditional British red telephone box, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, is undergoing a transformation. While many are left to decay, others are being repurposed in unique ways. From mini-libraries to defibrillator stations, these iconic structures are finding new life. In some villages, they serve as information centres or art galleries, while in London, one has been turned into a salad bar.
These transformations are made possible by BT’s Adopt a Kiosk scheme, allowing communities to purchase a disused phone box for just £1. Since the scheme’s launch in 2008, over 5,000 boxes have been adopted. The scheme has proven popular, with a waiting list of communities eager to repurpose a box.
Despite this, the red telephone box remains an endangered species, with numbers dwindling from 92,000 in the 1980s to around 9,400 today. Yet, the enduring affection for these symbols of Britain’s past is ensuring their survival in a new guise, keeping the spirit of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s design alive in the 21st century.
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