Three Chiswick Phone Boxes Up for Adoption

BT wants local communities to take over iconic red kiosks

The phone box by St Michael and All Angels Church is up for adoption
The phone box by St Michael and All Angels Church is up for adoption

Local communities organisations are being offer the chance to adopt red phone boxes in their area including three in Chiswick.

The two kiosks next to the 94 bus terminal at Acton Green and one in front of St. Michael and All Angels Church are up for grabs at the cost of just £1.

It is part of BT’s ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme in London in which more than 500 red phone boxes are available for local communities to adopt.

So far 88 BT phone boxes in London have been adopted with more than 6,600 taken on across the UK. New uses for the boxes have included hosting defibrillator units, mini history museums, art galleries and book exchanges.

Jon Pollock, BT Enterprise unit director for London, said: “With most people now using mobile phones, it’s led to a huge drop in the number of calls made from payphones. At the same time, mobile coverage has improved significantly in recent years due to investment in masts, particularly in rural areas.

“We’re currently rationalising our payphone estate to make it fit for the future, and the ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme makes it possible for local communities in London to retain their local phone box, with a refreshed purpose for the community.

“Thousands of communities have already come up with a fantastic array of ideas to re-use their beloved local phone box. Applying is quick and easy and we’re always happy to speak to communities about adopting our phone boxes.”

The Community Heartbeat Trust charity is working with BT and local communities to install defibrillators in local kiosks. Martin Fagan, National Secretary for the Community Heartbeat Trust charity, said, “BT’s phone box kiosks are iconic British structures, and repurposing for this life saving use has given them a new lease of life. To date, we have converted about 800 ourselves, with another 200 in the pipeline.

“Placing the equipment in the heart of a community is important to save on time. Kiosks are historically at the centre of the community, and thus great locations for defibrillators.”


Two phone boxes up for adoption on Acton Green

As part of plans to modernise its payphone estate, over 400 payphones across towns and cities have also been upgraded by BT to digital units, called Street Hubs, offering free public WiFi, free UK phone calls, USB device charging, environmental monitoring and more. BT’s Street Hubs also display advice from Public Health England and local councils.

Communities can adopt a kiosk if they are a recognised public body, such as a parish council, community council or town council. Boxes can also be adopted by registered charities or by individuals who have a payphone on their own land. BT will continue to provide electricity (if already in place) to power the light for adopted phone boxes, free of charge.

For further details on how to apply to Adopt a Kiosk, go to www.bt.com/adopt where application forms and information can be found.

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March 21, 2021