Phone box as a tiny art gallery?

An underused village phone box could become one of the smallest-ever exhibition spaces for art.

BT have asked Chilcompton Parish Council whether they would like to adopt a phone box for the small price of £1.

Similar adoptions elsewhere have led to the classic edifices being used as plant shops, book depositories or libraries, grocery shops, wildlife information centres and even a home for a defibrillator.

Chairman of the Parish Council, Jon Pike, said: "We've had an opportunity to adopt the phone box in the past and not taken it up. But if someone came forward with an interesting idea, like an art gallery and a real commitment to maintain it long-term, then we would certainly consider it very seriously. These old phoneboxes are iconic structures and part of the architectural fabric of the village – we certainly wouldn't want to see it disappear."

The growth of the mobile phone industry has inevitably meant that phone box usage has dropped dramatically and almost half of the country's 90,000 boxes have been removed, though there are still 9,000 that could be adopted.

This particular phone box is situated on The Street opposite one of the village's splendid waterfalls. A spot where walkers frequently stop to take in the view, so a mini art gallery would be an added attraction.

Local resident and artist, Lizzie Morris, is inspired by the idea. She said: "Many of us have emotions akin to affection and nostalgia for the obsolete red telephone box standing in many of our villages and towns – perhaps a little dusty, but still solid and indestructible. The notion of the box in Chilcompton becoming an art gallery is an exciting, original and creative challenge. The idea lends itself to tiny works and pieces of 'give-away art'.

"What a unique resource – rich in possibilities and a joyful way to honour an icon of twentieth-century life."

Any Local Authority or recognised charity can decide to adopt a local phone box. BT will remove the phone equipment and then the Authority can decide whether they want to take over the responsibility of the electricity supply. Anyone who has other ideas about how the phonebox could be used can email: [email protected]">[email protected]