Here is how you can adopt a red phone box in Bassetlaw - for just £1

A call has gone out for communities to 'adopt' the last 200 remaining red phone boxes in the region – including five in Bassetlaw - for just £1.
By Kate Mason
Published 15th Mar 2021, 12:36 BST

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BT has revealed that more than 200 of its iconic red phone boxes across East Midlands as it urges local communities to take advantage of a scheme to help transform them for the 21st century.

Since 2008, a total of 784 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.

Undated handout photo issued by BT of a telephone box, which has been transformed into a free book exchange in Warwickshire as part of the telecom company's Adopt a Kiosk scheme. Thousands of the traditional red coloured phone boxes are being offered to communities to be used for anything from housing books to defibrillators. Photo credit: BT/PA WireUndated handout photo issued by BT of a telephone box, which has been transformed into a free book exchange in Warwickshire as part of the telecom company's Adopt a Kiosk scheme. Thousands of the traditional red coloured phone boxes are being offered to communities to be used for anything from housing books to defibrillators. Photo credit: BT/PA Wire
Undated handout photo issued by BT of a telephone box, which has been transformed into a free book exchange in Warwickshire as part of the telecom company's Adopt a Kiosk scheme. Thousands of the traditional red coloured phone boxes are being offered to communities to be used for anything from housing books to defibrillators. Photo credit: BT/PA Wire
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Sarah Walker, BT Enterprise unit director for the Midlands, 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 East Midlands 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.”

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.

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.

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Related topics:BassetlawEast Midlands