Preston red telephone boxes could become art installations

The kiosks are the longest line of the much-loved red telephone boxes in the UK

A council is working to restore nine decaying red telephone boxes by transforming them into art installations.

The Grade II-listed boxes in Preston, Lancashire, have been vandalised and fallen into disrepair.

Now the council is seeking special permission restore them by working with local artists.

The plan is to turn them into a "must see" attraction and "add to the vibrancy of the Harris Quarter".

Designed by British architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott 1935, the cast iron kiosks form the longest line of the much-loved red telephone boxes in the UK.

Situated outside the former head post office on Market Street, they were acquired by Preston City Council in 2021.

'Dynamic and creative'

The council said it is seeking Listed Building Consent, which is required to alter any listed building, with a decision expected by March.

The work should then be completed next year, a spokesman said.

Peter Kelly, cabinet member for culture, said: "If we are successful in our application we plan to undertake the necessary restoration works in 2024 to enable the telephone boxes to be animated with dynamic and creative installations.

"We plan to work with local artists to commission contemporary light, audio visual or graphic works to bring the telephone boxes alive, create a 'must see' and add to the vibrancy of the Harris Quarter."

The boxes would be removed while they are restored.

The project is part of the wider Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, for which the city was awarded £20.9m from the government's national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021.