An under-threat popular ‘Phone Box Library’ has been allowed to continue following a social media campaign.
The library was created last summer by a mystery Banbury resident, who added books and shelving to the interior of the classic red telephone box in South Bar.
It has become well-used by local residents who frequently donate and borrow from it.
Earlier this week, a sign appeared from BT, who own the box, citing health and safety concerns and demanding the removal of books and shelving before March 3.
But following condemnation from local MP Tony Baldry and a ‘#SaveOurPhoneBoxLibrary’ campaign on Twitter, BT appeared to backtrack.
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Today, the company’s Twitter feed announced: “A fairy tale ending for the Banbury Phonebox Library. We’ve agreed ‘adoption’ with the local council.”
A BT spokesman added: “BT is delighted that we are now negotiating a solution for the preservation of this Banbury treasure, the only red box left in the town.
“The local phone box ‘librarian’ has also been in touch with BT to play his part and another local firm has offered to build the shelving.
"When the adoption is sealed, with £1 from the council, we will be able to have it up and running within a week. Library life will return to normal and hopefully will go from strength to strength – and there will be fewer book puns around.”
The Banbury phone box will join 2,400 other adopted boxes across the UK. Others house book exchanges, heart defibrillators and even an ale house.
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