Until a few months ago the phonebox outside the old sorting office was being used as a bookswap. But now it has been locked by BT as part of an adoption scheme.
We as a community need to understand how this works if we want to unlock them and bring them back into use if and where appropriate, such as that particular bookswap for example.
I knew it was being used for this, but had not seen that it was locked. Surely they could have spoken to those involved - especially if it just £1 rather than go through with this??
Yes, it was a shock.
I haven’t read the adoption scheme details just yet, I wanted to get round to it.
I suppose it’s not the pound, it’s a binding agreement which is enforceable?
Well it was particularly interesting as I have meant to apply to do something with the phonebox outside The Capitol on behalf of the Forest Hill Society for some time … so I have applied using this form. It would be a great place for some historic information and to promote local activities.
Hopefully the nice people who had the library will be able to adopt the Devonshire Road one and open that library again.
Are there others locally? I can’t think of many
I actually heard back very quickly from the BT scheme. Unfortunately, it seems we are not eligible - and nor will the resident on Devonshire Road be. Here are the basics of the exchange for the record:
From BT
Thank you for your enquiry and interest in adopting a kiosk.
Unfortunately, current BT policy states that the adoption scheme is only available to councils and registered charities. Individuals, community interest companies (C.I.C) and businesses are not eligible. However, if a kiosk is sited upon private land (subject to Land Registry Searches) then the landowner can adopt it.
I am sorry my response cannot be more favourable.
My response
Thank you for the prompt response, but this is not what is implied on the website. It says:
Who can adopt?
Recognised local authorities (district or borough council)
Parish, community or town council (or equivalent)
Registered charities
Private landowner with one of our phone boxes on their land
We are a recognised community and civic amenity society by the London Borough of Lewisham. We are not a charity. How is this not possible? Lewisham Council is not about to take responsibility for even more infrastructure (they can barely maintain what they currently have), but we can raise funds to renovate and use the phone box rather than leave it as it is, derelict, with broken glass and used as an occasional urinal.
Surely it is better to have these adopted by motivated groups rather than abandoned? What is the logic?
The final reply
In years gone by, BT did allow Businesses and other parties adopt the kiosks, but experience has lead us to be more mindful of the use of our adopted kiosks and previous experience with less scrupulous adoptees has lead to BT restricting the types of organisations adopting our kiosks. This is by no means a slur on the motivation of your organisation, but a commercial decision taken by BT.
Ultimately, the kiosks belong to BT and BT are the ultimate arbiter of who can Adopt and there is no automatic right to do so.
I guess what we need to do now is pressure our local Councillors to get Lewisham to adopt them on our behalf, and then help to make sure these ones are managed either by us or the resident.
Sadly, our lovely Community Engagement officer, Laura, has “left the council” (I’m guessing from the wording of the auto-reply that this was not her choice), but I will maybe see if someone else can help
Gosh, that is a shock. But then I hadn’t read the rules yet.
So, by means of example, we should find out who adopted the famous bookswap phonebox on Lewisham Way.
And thanks @Rob for getting back with this, it will help the whole community see what is at stake, both here in this borough and presumably elsewhere.
The answer is: The Brockley Society which is a registered charity.
And by deduction I believe it was one of the (very) first to take part in this scheme.
Yes I often pick up books left outside and give them to charities / friends so that they don’t get ruined. It could be a lovely spot but locked and with dumped rubbished often left down the side (easily fixable with a well placed planter I think)
Do you happen to know who was running it? Is there a local whatsapp group you could ask? I have a “cunning plan” 
haha love a cunning plan - hmmm no but I will ask around!
I think I know who was behind that! Was chatting about it with a neighbour the other day.
Hi all, I saw the notice on the phonebox today and it was the first I’d heard of this website — lovely to meet everyone.
I didn’t start the library myself but I tended to it every few days, cleaned and restocked it regularly. There was at least one other person doing this, although I’m not sure who (eg. they installed the new bottom cabinet in 2024).
Suffice to say I was as disappointed as anyone when BT locked the door. It’s sad to see a relic gathering dust for no reason — the library had regular use and added to the feel of the road, whether you lived here or were just passing through.
I approached BT immediately about unlocking but got the same responses as you. I did toy with the idea of simply drilling the lock off, but surmised BT would only replace it sooner or later.
If anyone has a plan to go about this the correct way and circumvent the pencil pushers, I’m happy to join in and bring the library back.
Wonderful to meet you. Yes, I have a plan.
I’ll be in touch via a direct message in the first instance
Thanks for joining
That’s really sad. But you’d have to be a bit silly to see that locked phone box and think it’s a good idea to dump your unwanted books outside there
It is clean, and open again. Still no idea who is behind this, but the library is open for business again
Oh, amazing - did FHSoc have anything to do with getting it unlocked, or has that happened organically, so to speak?
No nothing to do with the Society. I’m surprised it is unlocked, but glad as it may be that they’ve made another arrangement
Just realised the perils of late night replies on this forum … because I see I actually got a reply to my enquiry, and then totally failed to follow-up … my sincere apologies @a_peppercorn
The good news is that we’ve FINALLY (sorry!!!) been in touch, and I’m hopeful that we can do something to keep this local library open with the help of the Forest Hill Society and Calico projects (who run the much bigger library).
Hopefully we can get this sorted before BT close it down.
