Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Ring in the changes by adopting phone box
We’ve all heard of adopting children or animals – but how about a phone box?
Well, a traditional red phone box in Coatbridge is up for grabs – and could be yours to own – courtesy of BT.
The organisation has revealed the eye-catching object in the town’s Heritage Way, opposite Central Station, is one of 600 available across Scotland, along with seven in neighbouring South Lanarkshire.
It has urged the local community to take advantage of a scheme to help transform the phone box for the 21st century.
Since 2008, a total of 482 phone boxes across the country have been taken on by communities for just £1 each through BT’S Adopt a Kiosk programme.
Redundant phone boxes, once a lifeline of communication before the arrival of mobile phone networks, have been transformed into everything from defibrillator units and mini history museums to art galleries and book exchanges.
BT will also consider adoption requests to house defibrillators in modern glass phone boxes; a potentially life-saving conversion.
Alan Lees, BT Enterprise unit director for Scotland, 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 across
Scotland 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.”
From Aberdeen to Plymouth, the Community Heartbeat Trust charity is working with BT and communities to install life-saving defibrillators in kiosks.
Martin Fagan, national secretary for the 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.”
As part of plans to modernise its payphone estate, more than 400 payphones across towns and cities have also been upgraded by BT to digital units, called Street Hubs, offering free ultrafast public wi-fi, free UK phone calls, USB device charging, environmental monitoring and more.
The Street Hubs also play a vital role in sharing public information; for example, during the Covid-19 pandemic they have displayed key advice from local councils.
The hubs form part of BT’S plan to transform the UK’S high streets with a digital communications service designed for the 21st century.
One community organisation that adopted a kiosk last year was
the Westray Development Trust in Orkney.
The Trust converted the red phone box into a home for one of the island’s six public access defibrillators after community first aiders highlighted that there was limited access to this lifesaving equipment on the island.
Westray Development Trust now gives locals CPR and defibrillator training sessions to equip them with skills
and confidence to act in an emergency.
Isobel Thompson, operations manager of the Westray Development Trust, said: “Thanks to BT’S ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme we were able to expand our defibrillator network and improve access to life-saving equipment in an emergency for our isolated island community.”
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 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 boxes, free of charge.
For more on Adopt a Kiosk, visit www.bt.com/adopt, where application forms can be found.