Preston City Council is moving forward with exciting plans to restore nine Grade II-listed red telephone boxes located outside the former Head Post Office on Market Street. Acquired in 2021, these iconic kiosks are set to undergo full restoration as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to preserving Preston’s historical landmarks.
Preserving a Piece of British Heritage
Designed by renowned British architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V’s Coronation, these cast iron telephone kiosks with timber doors represent the longest continuous line of historic K6 red telephone boxes in the UK. Once a vital part of Britain’s urban landscape, the kiosks had become redundant, falling victim to vandalism and disrepair.
However, Preston City Council, recognising their historical and cultural value, applied for Listed Building Consent (LBC) in December 2023. With approval granted in June 2024, plans are now in place to restore the kiosks throughout 2024/25.
The Restoration Process
The restoration project, funded by both Preston City Council and the Towns Fund, will see the kiosks carefully removed from the site, restored off-site, and then replaced once works are completed. This extensive refurbishment will repair the damage caused over the years, ensuring the kiosks are returned to their former glory while respecting their historical significance.
A Heritage Statement, prepared for the Council by Growth Lancashire Ltd, highlights the important role these kiosks play within the Market Place Conservation Area. Surrounded by other prominent listed buildings such as The Harris Museum, Sessions House, and Preston Town Hall, the kiosks contribute to the unique historical character of the city’s centre.
The statement, based on guidelines from Historic England, emphasises the high historical, communal, and aesthetic values of these telephone boxes, labelling them as “the definitive red telephone kiosk in Britain.” It concludes that the benefits of the restoration will far outweigh any minor concerns, with no harm caused to nearby listed buildings or the wider Market Place Conservation Area.
A Broader Vision for Preston’s Future
This restoration is part of the wider Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, a £200m initiative aimed at revitalising Preston’s historical buildings, public spaces, and cultural assets. In March 2021, Preston was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s Towns Fund, which is being used to fund various projects within the Harris Quarter, including the refurbishment of Amounderness House, the development of the £45m Animate cinema and leisure complex, and the transformation of the Grade I-listed Harris Museum.
The revitalisation of the red telephone boxes complements these efforts, as the city works to blend its rich heritage with modern cultural and economic development.
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s Lasting Legacy in Preston
The telephone boxes are not the only connection Sir Giles Gilbert Scott has to Preston. He also designed the War Memorial Cenotaph in Market Place, while his father, George Gilbert Scott, designed Preston Town Hall. The restoration of these kiosks not only honours this iconic piece of British design but also strengthens Preston’s ties to one of the nation’s most celebrated architects.
By breathing new life into these historic red kiosks, Preston City Council is preserving an important part of the city’s history while contributing to the ongoing transformation of the Harris Quarter into a vibrant hub for culture, leisure, and employment.