Hundreds of red phone boxes up for community ‘adoption’

Since BT introduced its Adopt a Kiosk programme in 2008, more than 7,200 phone boxes have been taken on by communities across the UK for just £1 each.

In recent years there has been a huge decline in the usage of payphones across the UK (Anthony Devlin/PA) (PA Archive)

Around 1,000 red phone boxes are up for “adoption” amid a continuing decline in the use of payphones.

Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the first incarnation of the famous red phone box for a competition in 1924.

In recent years, with 98% of the adult population now using a mobile phone, and improvements to mobile coverage, there has been a huge decline in the usage of payphones across the UK.

With the iconic red kiosk about to turn 100, it's a great opportunity to remind communities that would still like to retain their local kiosk to take it on for just £1 through our Adopt a Kiosk scheme

Michael Smy, BT

There are now around 20,000 remaining working payphones across the UK, around 3,000 of which are in traditional red kiosks.

The number of phone boxes peaked in the 1990s at around 100,000.

BT is now urging communities to continue to take advantage of its kiosk adoption scheme to help transform its underused red phone boxes into other purposes.

Since BT introduced its Adopt a Kiosk programme in 2008, more than 7,200 phone boxes have been taken on by communities across the UK for just £1 each.

The kiosks can be adopted by community or parish councils and registered charities.

Redundant phone boxes have been adopted and turned into a range of facilities over the years, from defibrillator units and libraries, to mini art galleries and local museums.

BT said it is continuing to review its remaining payphones, removing those that are no longer being used.

Michael Smy, head of street at BT, said: “With the vast majority of people now using mobile phones, and significant improvements to mobile coverage across the UK, we’ve continued to see a big drop in the number of calls made from payphones.

“That’s why we’re continuing to review our payphones estate, making sure we’re prioritising the removal of those not being used, in line with Ofcom’s latest guidance.

“With the iconic red kiosk about to turn 100, it’s a great opportunity to remind communities that would still like to retain their local kiosk to take it on for just £1 through our Adopt a Kiosk scheme.

“We’ve already seen some great kiosk conversions across the UK that have become valuable community assets.”