This topic

Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

ChrisBennett — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:25:11 GMT

Hi - I am a (serious) amateur photographer and have been working on a project based around a particular phone box in my local city. The work has been going on for almost 5 years and I always knew that the time would come when it would be removed (that was partially the point of the project). Some of this work was featured in a local gallery in April this year and was well received.

So, this weekend, a sign was posted inside the box, announcing that it has been scheduled for removal.

I have two things I need to know:

1) When will it actually be removed (I would like to photograph the removal in progress an the box leaving the site on the back of the lorry).

2) Can I do a pop-up exhibition of my work and display photos inside, for the public to see and take copies of prints? I would make cheap prints and blu-tac them to the walls and windows. The phone is now offline except for emergency calls.

I would like to know who to ask and how to contact them. I have the customer service.payphones email address, but I have a feeling I need to be quicker than this may be to get a meaningful reply.

Thanks for help!

Chris

Re: Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

WSH — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:36:04 GMT

I'm not sure anyone on here is going to give you an answer to that.

That sort of infrastructure is owned and operated by Openreach, (even if BT did provide the phone service). While BT, the telephone retail side, and Openreach are both part of 'BT Group' they are obliged under OFCOM rules to operate as separate companies. This means that this forum has nothing to do with Openreach and no link to it.

You could try contacting Openreach directly but they don't usually deal with the public, as their customers are the ISPs.

Re: Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

36ULW — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:30:53 GMT

Pay phones aren’t own by Openreach.

Re: Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

ChrisBennett — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:54:31 GMT

Correct!

I tried them and they acknowledged that. The notice in the kiosk was posted by BT.

Re: Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

WSH — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:40:54 GMT

Then I stand corrected gentlemen. Interesting point. Infrastructure is generally OR but I'll bow to your greater experience.

Thanks for that.

Re: Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

36ULW — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:09:04 GMT

Openreach don’t ‘own’ very much to be honest.

All the Infrastructure, i.e. Cables, Poles, PCP’s, DSLAMS, Optical Head Ends, Duct Network, etc….. All owned by the BT Group plc.

Openreach merely Install/Maintain/Repair it for them.

Re: Payphone removal - photography project/exhibition

WSH — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:12:18 GMT

Yes, fair point. I suppose I really meant 'maintained' rather than 'owned'.