Work starts on Whitstable Boxes

Whitstable's iconic red telephone boxes get a new lease of life as little lending libraries with the help of the Horsebridge Arts Centre & ARCH C.I.C.

Last year BT but three of Whitstable iconic red telephone boxes up for sale as they were no longer used. Local councillor Chris Cornell, working with the Horsebridge Arts Centre bought them for a £1 each with the idea of returning them to public use.

They were in such a sorry state something had to be done. Whilst travelling around the US I'd seen hundreds of these little Lending Libraries perched on corners and so the idea was born. Cllr Chris Cornell

It was agreed that two of the boxes located on Island Wall & Tankerton Road would be used as Lending Libraries. The last box on Sea Street was to become a community art gallery run by the Horsebridge.

Cleaning them up

The job of cleaning them up was contracted to ARCH Community Interest Company and local tradesman Jason Onion. Jason had already worked in the area building a scale model of the Apollo Lunar Module which was exhibited at local primary schools and a replica of the Dr Who Tardis which crash landed on Whitstable Beach in 2017.

You'll find more information about Jason and his work at jcobuilds.co.uk

For years I've looked at these two tired phone boxes and thought I'd love to show them some love. It's been great to be involved in something fun, smart and with the community at its heart. Jason Onion