Ringing changes for Lord Street phone boxes

Ringing changes for Lord Street phone boxes

Two Grade II listed red phone boxes in Southport Town Centre which have been plagued by vandalism since 2008 have finally found a new lease of life… as micro-offices!

A New York based company, Pod Works, are set to transform the telephone booths outside Southport Town Hall into mini offices, which can be rented out to business people who need a quick and convenient place to do their work. Fully kitted out with a printer, Wi-Fi hotspot and charging point for a laptop or mobile phone, the offices will be available to rent for around £15 for a one off use – or if you sign up to the company as a member you pay £25 a month for an unlimited access.

The scheme is already proving to be very popular in inner-city regions and were first used in London after taking off across the Atlantic.

A typical ‘work station’ includes Wi-Fi, plug sockets, Internet connection, printer, scanner, internet telephone with free calls to UK local, national and mobile numbers – as well as free coffee and tea!

Since 2008 the phone boxes, which are Grade II listed and protected by the Sefton Council Heritage team, have long been the target for trouble including vandalism, drug dealing and even playing temporary home to people sleeping rough on the streets of Southport.

Originally sold off by BT in 2008, the phone booths were bought by the Red Box Kiosk Company who then lease out the phone boxes in an attempt to find a new use for them in a mobile phone dominated era.

Such suggestions previously have included transforming them into a newsagents – but the most viable bid has now come from Pod Works, who plan to launch in February.

“Each Work Station is aimed at the entrepreneur who is always on the move and needs a convenient, affordable and private place to work.

The change has been warmly welcomed by town centre councillors who have campaigned for a number of years to have the phone boxes protected from vandalism.

Cllr Barton, a leading campaigner for the restoration and regeneration of the town centre, said the work follows months of negotiation with the property owner after he spotted the need for repairs during a town centre audit. 

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward, said: “Following detailed negotiations with the owner I can confirm that a new tenant is expected to move into the kiosk in January and that work to repair the two telephone boxes has begun. 

“The telephone boxes have fallen into disrepair since being sold by BT in 2008 however I must praise the property owner being very supportive of the need for repairs and to preserve this part of the town’s heritage. 

“This goes to show that, rather than threatening legal action and the full force of the local authority to try and get things done, mutual respect and    

sincerity are key to driving further future inward investment into Southport. 

“I cannot thank the property owner and his property agent enough for their assistance and co-operation despite the undue and unnecessary witch hunting in some quarters recently when this issue was already being taken care of.”