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BT dials up ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme in the North West

BT today revealed that 183 of its iconic red phone boxes across the North West are up for grabs – as it urges local communities to take advantage of a scheme to help transform them for the 21st century.

Since 2008, a total of 451 phone boxes across the region 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.

Sarah Walker, BT Enterprise unit director for the North of England, 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 the North West 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 local communities to install lifesaving 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.”

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 ultrafast public Wi-Fi, free UK phone calls, USB device charging, environmental monitoring and more. BT’s Street Hubs also play a vital role in sharing public information, for example during the Covid-19 pandemic Street Hub units across the country have displayed key advice from Public Health England and local councils. Street Hubs form part of BT’s plan to transform the UK’s high streets with a digital communications service designed for the 21st century.

Case study

Thornton Parish Council, Merseyside

A former BT phone box in Thornton in the Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, has been converted into a lifesaving defibrillator unit.

The modern glass kiosk was taken over by Thornton Parish Council for £1 through BT’s Adopt a Kiosk Scheme.

Councillor Bob McGill from Thornton Parish Council, said: “As a Parish Council we were in a dilemma as to where to locate our defibrillator. After exploring several options which proved unviable, we were delighted to discover the BT Adopt a Kiosk Scheme. This provided a safe accessible location with the necessary power source.

“The process of adoption was very quick and simple. As for the defibrillator, it’s easy to use and it talks you through everything and it only works when it needs to. Having said that, we hope no one ever needs to use it.”

Red kiosks left to adopt per district/local authority area in the North West:

Allerdale District

2

Barrow-in-Furness District

2

Blackburn with Darwen

3

Blackpool

12

Burnley District

1

Bury District

2

Cheshire East

16

Cheshire West and Chester

27

Chorley District

2

Copeland District

4

Eden District

23

Fylde District

5

Halton

1

Hyndburn District

2

Lancaster District

2

Liverpool District

7

Manchester District

4

Oldham District

3

Pendle District

3

Preston District

2

Ribble Valley District

6

Salford District

1

Sefton District

3

South Lakeland District

14

St Helen’s District

7

Stockport District

2

Tameside District

2

Warrington

5

West Lancashire District

6

Wigan District

5

Wirral District

6

Wyre District

3

Total

183

About Adopt a Kiosk

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, simply go to www.bt.com/adopt where application forms and information can be found.

Pictured -The former BT phone box on Merseyside, has been converted into a lifesaving defibrillator unit.

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