Campaign continues ahead of 100th anniversary of iconic design
Chloe Goodall
THE phone box on the corner of Berrylaw Place and William Street in Dunfermline is now up for grabs.
The kiosk has been put up for adoption by BT as they mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic red telephone box design, coined by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1924.
It’s just one of 160 phone boxes in Scotland that recognised public bodies can bag as a part of the Adopt a Kiosk scheme.
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.”
While those not in use are being removed, BT is encouraging communities to help transform its underused red phone boxes into other purposes.
Since BT introduced its Adopt a Kiosk programme in 2008, around 550 phone boxes have been taken on by communities across Scotland for just £1 each.
Across the UK, more than 7,200 have been adopted so far. The kiosks can be adopted by registered charities, community councils and local authorities.
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.
Mr Smy continued: “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.”
In the past, two West Fife phone boxes have been refreshed and repurposed. In 2015, a Torryburn man repainted his local red kiosk after it was adopted by the Torryburn and Newmills Community Council.
And just last year Limekilns Primary School pupils transformed their local telephone box into a community book swap station.
If you have a big idea for this little phone box, visit the BT website for more information on how to apply to Adopt a Kiosk.