Birkdale Village In Southport.The Red Phone Box To House Defibrilator

Southport and Birkdale residents have been expressing opinions on what should become of the traditional RED telephone kiosk that stands in Birkdale Village. 

Some residents suggested it would be good as a small community library with book shelves inside or a seed swapping station.

More amusing comments included: 

“ Fill it full of fairy lights it would look better than the tree!!” 

And.. 

“ Paint it blue and turn it into a Time Machine !”

And.. 

“ Make it into an elevator that takes you to an underground bar that kids know nothing about!” 

The Chairman for Birkdale Civic Society, who confirmed that the Red Phone Box is infact going to be a defibrilator station. 

The chairman, C Woods said” We were informed at very short notice last year that BT were going to decommission the phone box, remove it and sell it to the highest bidder. As it is a historic piece of the village we wanted to do whatever we could to ensure it remained and was restored. We therefore put in a formal application to adopt the box in collaboration with the Southport Lions under the condition that we would place a defibrillator inside. 

The nearest defibrillation device on to that side of the village is in the station, but it’s only available during opening hours which is not ideal given we have so many bars etc which open late into the evening. 

Our adoption was successful and we now have permission to carry out alterations. Although the phone has now been taken out of it, the electricity supply needs connecting which has been delayed due to the pandemic. 

Once this has taken place the relevant organisations will return to refurbish the box and install the defibrillator. “

The placement of the box right by the newly opened Birkdale Library and Community hub, as well as the station and popular bars and restaurants, will hopefully help to decrease the time it takes for someone to get lifesaving medical attention.