On losing their mobile library they decided to convert their K6 box into a static library, albeit a very small one. Production of the red boxes stopped in 1985 but in 2009 the village of Westbury-sub-Mendip gave us a glimpse toward a new dawn for these grand old dames. They are wonderful creations but honestly who needs a phonebox now when 95% of UK households have a mobile? The KX100 version kept the vibe alive for a while but had no sides at the bottom so whilst it lost its iconic design it didn’t stink of wee in quite the same way. The wooden K2 prototype still nestles comfortably under the left hand arch of the Royal Academy in London and there’s enough subtle variants of style and colour across the country to keep any obsessive collector happy but let’s not get sidetracked please. The boxes also turn up in Malta, Bermuda, Cyprus and Gibraltar, just to prove that The Empire wasn’t all bad. The original crown at the top of the box was the Tudor Crown design, replaced by Queenie in 1953 with St Edward’s crown, as used in coronations and picked out nicely in gold paint since the 1990s. Wikipedia says the red colour originally caused ‘particular local difficulties and there were many requests for less visible colours’, the famous currant red seems to have been accepted now. The original K2 version was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1926, then updated in 1936 with a similar but smaller, cheaper, K6 version. As famous as any though is the red telephone box. These have included planters, art galleries, defibrillator stands and even coffee stalls.The UK seems to have more iconic designs than any other country the London black cab, red post boxes, the Mini, the London Underground map, the kilt. Since the invention of mobiles many of the phone lines have been rendered redundant, prompting projects to turn the boxes to new uses.
The K6 model, launched in 1935, was the first to be used in large numbers outside of London and has become one of Britain's most famous designs.
Some of Solihull's branch libraries pose a particular challenge because they're in quite confined buildings.įurther information on the new arrangements is available here.Ĭommunities around the country have come up with novel ways to preserve the famous public call boxes. She hoped that a "wider, more rounded service" would return in due course, but at the minute it was important not to do anything which could put people at risk.
"So we need to get them back open but it's really a case of starting with little steps." "Libraries have been closed for an awfully long time and for most people every book their neighbour had they have now read. In line with government rules, visitors will have to wear face coverings while inside.Ĭllr Alison Rolf, cabinet member for stronger and safer communities, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the council must be "extra careful" to ensure library staff and residents were safe. The new addition, right next to The Bear pub, is stocked with more than 300 volumes, with the titles available to borrow for free.Ī phased reopening of Solihull Council libraries was finally announced last week, almost six months since they last welcomed customers.įacilities are switching to a "grab and go" service, with new opening hours and an emphasis on people only making a fleeting visit to drop off and collect their book. He said: "Whilst the library at Berkswell Station is behind locked waiting room doors, the one in another red telephone box just outside Balsall Common has seen a roaring trade since the closure of public libraries due to coronavirus."
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