Vandals rip door off one of Preston's most recognisable landmarks

The door has been ripped off of one of the Grade II-listed red phone boxes in Market Street and there is evidence of litter and fire damage.

The kisok, one of a row of nine, has been a landmark in Preston for more than half a century.

All the kiosks are the K6 design produced by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

After being made redundant by the rise of the mobile phone, seven were sold to the Red Kiosk Company, with the aim of using them as mini retail pods, while two others were retained by BT.

A spokesman for the Red Kiosk Company, said the vandalised box belonged to BT.

He said: “I know there have been a number of problems with that kiosk - fires, drug-taking. It’s a shame.”

A BT spokesperson said: “We are aware of a phone box on Market Street that has been damaged by vandals. Due to the current situation it may not be repaired as quickly as usual, but an engineer will be sent out to investigate when it’s safe to do so."

David Hindle, president of Preston Historical Society, said the vandalism was “reprehensible” and reminded people that their Grade II-listing put them on the same historical par as Preston Railway Station.

He said: “It’s a great pity that people can steep so low at a time of such trouble, and destroy part of the city’s heritage.

Last week the Post revealed how two of the phone boxes owned by the Red Kiosk Company were being renovated in preparation for retail use. They are available for £15,000 per box or £175 a month.

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Anyone can report faults or damage to payphones by calling 0800 661610 or by emailing [email protected]. Anyone who witnesses any vandalism should report this to the police.

Phone facts

The nine kiosks in Market Street are the longest row of such phone boxes in the country.

Two others in the city centre are both operational and outside Preston Railway Station.

There are over 3,400 K6 telephone kiosks still in operation in England today/