BT is expanding its successful adoption scheme for red telephone boxes and launching a nationwide competition to find the most innovative use of an adopted kiosk with a first prize of £5,000. BT’s “Adopt a Kiosk” scheme has already resulted in more than 770 applications from local communities to adopt their local phone box. Parish councils have so far taken over ownership of more than 350 kiosks. The company is now writing to local authorities across the country inviting them to consult with their local communities on the possibility of further kiosk adoptions. Further details and an application form are available on the BT Payphones’ web site at www.payphones.bt.com
The Adopt a Kiosk programme allows local authorities to take ownership of much loved, but rarely used, red telephone kiosks. For only £1, BT will remove the telephone and hand over ownership of the kiosks to the local community. Local communities can protect the heritage of the community by retaining these historic structures, which have become British design icons. The scheme was introduced in response to requests from local authorities in many parts of the Great Britain.
National competition
BT is also launching a national competition for the most innovative use of an adopted kiosk with a first prize of £5,000 and regional prizes of £1,000. Across the UK some of the 350 kiosks already adopted are being put to unusual uses, including one as an art gallery. Parish councils can enter the competition. Entries should be received by the end of October 2009.
‘Smallest art gallery’
The Gallery on the Green is in Settle, North Yorkshire and it is thought to be the smallest art gallery in the world. Drawings, paintings, photographs and other unique works of art are housed in a former BT red telephone kiosk in a beautiful rural setting. For more information visit www.galleryonthegreen.org.uk
John Lumb, general manager for BT Payphones, said: “The Adopt a Kiosk scheme has proved a great success. Parish councils across the UK have taken the opportunity to become the owners of traditional red kiosks no longer needed as working payphones, but which have an iconic place in the local community. “Initially, the adoption scheme was aimed specifically at those red kiosks in last year’s payphone removal programme. This expansion offers the benefits of the scheme to parish councils with any red kiosks used only rarely or not at all. We believe there are more than 6,700 red kiosks across the country, which are potentially suitable for adoption.” BT is inviting people to comment about Adopt a Kiosk can by sending their views via BT Payphones’ facebook group (BT Payphones – Adopt a Kiosk) at www.facebook.com or via
