Charity trust plans to ring the changes to city telephone boxes

ICONIC red telephone boxes in Birmingham’s business district are set for a new lease of life as retail outlets.

Non-profit company Thinking Outside the Box has applied for planning permission to change the use of two of the telephone boxes in Eden Place, off Colmore Row.

A design brief prepared by M B Design & Build, which works with the charitable trust, said the boxes would remain painted in BT phone box red, and a rolling maintenance programme would see the kiosks refurbished every two years.

The maintenance programme will entail a complete overhaul, to include all exterior and interior paint and associated works.

Internally, the existing telephones and associated equipment will be removed back to the original shell. The new fully self-contained pods will not have any fixings to the carcass or floor plate of the phone box and can easily be moved in and out manually within minutes. They will use the existing electricity supply to the boxes.

The boxes will be staffed at all times, with staff working on a shift basis. Should they have to leave then the boxes would be locked.

Restaurant owner looks for a taste of Paradise

With so many offices in Birmingham city centre being converted into restaurants, it is unusual for one to go the way.

However, new plans have been submitted to the city council to convert a former restaurant in Paradise Street into office use.

The property has been vacant for some time but the owner is now looking to capitalise on the redevelopment of Paradise Circus and the likely high demand for offices once the scheme is complete.

Changes brewing at Mailbox hotel

The new operator of a Mailbox hotel has applied for planning permission to introduce changes to an adjoining coffee shop.

The Ramada in Wharfside Street accommodates a Starbucks franchise and the hotel has applied to Birmingham City Council for planning permission for a new awning together with an unlit fascia sign and an internally illuminated sign.