Iconic K6 telephone box finds new home at Government House

MT moves red kiosk to preserve 'a little Manx history'

An iconic K6 telephone box has been moved from its original home in Laxey to more stately premises at Government House.

Manx Telecom has gifted the restored red kiosk to the Lieutenant Governor as part of efforts to preserve history.

It was designed by British architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 and, up until now, was at Pinfold Hill in the east of the Island.

“It is a wonderful addition to the gardens of Government House and it will serve as a reminder of our Island's telecommunications history for generations to come." – Sir John Lorimer

Sir John Lorimer told Manx Radio he’s delighted with the new addition to the garden:

"Telephone boxes have been a familiar sight on the Island for almost 100 years but as technology evolves they're no longer being used for their original purpose.” – Gary Lamb

Over the years Manx Telecom has helped local charities and community groups repurpose kiosks seeing them transform into libraries or life-saving defibrillator hubs.

Chief Executive Gary Lamb says despite the need for them declining it doesn’t mean they’ll become totally redundant: