Preston’s restored historic red telephone boxes could soon become a new digital showcase.
Revised proposals have been lodged for a new use for the phone boxes as an interactive art display running along their traditional home in Market Street once they return.
Refurbishment work has been taking place on the phone boxes which were removed in December 2024 and are due to return at some stage during 2026.
Read more: Three projects to finish and three to start in another year of regeneration for Preston
They haven’t returned, as Blog Preston first reported last summer, because of upcoming roadworks planned in and around the Market Street area as part of an upgrade to a number of roads between the Markets and Flag Market area, along with the Friargate South area near Orchard Street.
Shortly before Christmas an update from Preston City Council said they wanted to install ‘data cabling’ for a ‘wider variety of uses’ – which has now been revealed to be the work being undertaken in conjunction with Preston digital specialists ADI.
Updated plans for listed-building consent, permission for the interactive phone boxes to carry advertising and a change of use for the phone boxes to be AV display units have now gone in as three separate planning applications – with Studio John Bridge who worked on the original 2024 plans for bringing the phone boxes back to life still involved.
The phone boxes are grade-II listed and are the longest continuous line of the retro red phone boxes anywhere in the UK.
Proposals for their re-use date back decades, such as when a private operator wanted to turn them into mini businesses. In 2021 they were bought by the city council and taken back into public ownership.
Cabinet member for arts and culture at the city council, councillor Anna Hindle, said: “The refurbished telephone boxes will create a real digital spectacle that you won’t want to miss, aiming to create that new Instagram-able moment in the heart of Preston’s historic Harris Quarter.”
The digital displays would be a ‘flexible platform to showcase digital art and have seasonal themes throughout the year’.
Artist impressions show it being taken over by a Preston North End display in one of the examples or having a Christmas-themed set of artwork.
Watch below a clip made by ADI showing how the phone box art installations or advertising screens may look or view it on YouTube
Client engagement executive at ADI, Aaron Jabbary, said: “We’re excited to bring a contemporary digital public art project to Preston’s historic Market Street. Using ADI’s bespoke LED technology, the installation can showcase local culture, collaborate with artists and highlight events taking place across the city.”
Founder and chief executive at the Fulwood-based firm, Geraint Williams, said: “As a local company, we’re proud to be contributing something meaningful to Preston’s city centre. This project brings together the character and heritage of Market Street with a new digital public art feature that creates space for local culture, artists and community voices.
“It’s about using technology thoughtfully – not just to enhance the space, but to give something back, support creativity and build on the investment, creating a public feature that residents and visitors can enjoy throughout the year.”
John Chesworth, chair of the Preston Partnership and the city’s Towns Fund Board, said: “The telephone boxes are an iconic piece of Preston’s history and have been missed whilst they have been getting their makeover. We’re looking forward to our landmark boxes coming back to life on site later in the year for future generations to enjoy.”
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