Vending

Iconic British phone boxes to become vending machines

Adobe Stock

February 26, 2026

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Plans submitted to the Canterbury City Council in the county of Kent, England, propose repurposing two iconic red phone boxes into a vending machine and a grab machine.

The kiosks are among many traditional payphones in Kent that became obsolete as public phone use declined. Phone service provider BT had previously offered such phone boxes to communities for local reuse, according to a KentLive report.

The Canterbury kiosks were temporarily converted into a coffee kiosk in 2022, attracting strong public interest and positive social media attention. After the coffee business moved out, the historic phone boxes were put up for sale and are scheduled to be auctioned off on Feb. 19, with new plans aiming to give the landmarks another commercial use.