(Commonwealth) _ A disused red telephone box in Stamford Hill is up for auction with a guide price of £15,000. The Grade-II listed structure, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect behind the iconic red telephone box, is connected to the electricity mains and has received planning permission for conversion into retail space.
Hackney Council granted approval for a planning application submitted in 2019 by Edward Ottewell, the former director of the now-closed Red Kiosk Company. The company purchased 124 telephone boxes from BT for £1, secured planning permission, and leased them to traders. While the telephone box is approved for retail use, the new owner must obtain any necessary consents, especially considering the heritage status of the structure. The K6 telephone box, introduced in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, is characterized by its Art Deco-style curving roof, smaller size compared to earlier versions, and embossed bas-relief crown insignia. Built from sturdy cast iron and painted in British Telecom’s official Current Red paint, this iconic piece of heritage reflects the historical significance of telecommunications in the UK.
The evolution of mobile phones has relegated traditional telephone boxes from essential communication hubs to unique spaces for small businesses, particularly in prime city locations. An illustrative example is the phone box on the east corner of Russell Square in Bloomsbury, now housing Walkmisu a vendor specializing in to-go tiramisu puddings. This shift towards repurposing telephone boxes for businesses is further exemplified by The Original Red Coffee Box, located in a Grade-II listed telephone kiosk in Hampstead. Although temporarily closed due to owner Danny Baker’s recovery from a fall, it underscores the adaptability of these spaces for entrepreneurial ventures. Throughout the pandemic, telephone box businesses flourished, showcasing resilience and innovation. Amar Café, for instance, opened its first coffee shop just before lockdown but successfully pivoted to selling Colombian coffee from booth-cafes across London. This adaptive strategy not only sustained them during challenging times but also served as a springboard for the establishment of a physical café in Chelsea in May 2021. The thriving success of such ventures highlights the capacity of telephone boxes to provide unique and dynamic settings for businesses, contributing to the diverse and creative landscape of urban entrepreneurship.
The entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability of Londoners in utilizing unconventional locations for business opportunities are evident in the trend of transforming small spaces. A notable example is Simon Squibb, who, last year, acquired a vacant stairwell in Twickenham through auction for £25,000. Successfully transforming it into a bustling hub for business startups, Squibb’s venture highlights the innovative potential within unconventional spaces. Individuals intrigued by the prospect of becoming a telephone box entrepreneur have a distinctive opportunity on the horizon. The Stamford Hill telephone box is set to be auctioned on February 7, 2024, offering a unique chance for potential entrepreneurs to explore and invest in creative and unconventional business ventures within these iconic structures. This auction presents an exciting opening for those with innovative ideas to transform a traditional telephone box into a dynamic and unique business space, contributing to the continued evolution of these iconic urban landmarks.
