A proposal to install a new digital communication kiosks in Warwick have been submitted.

The kiosks aim to modernise public phone infrastructure while adding emergency and digital services and are planned for 20 Coten End and 82-90 Emscote Road, both of which are areas with an array of shops.

The proposed black kiosks will combine traditional public telephony with a range of new features, including touchscreen wayfinding, public Wi-Fi capability and integrated defibrillators.

Each unit will also include a digital advertising screen to help fund installation and maintenance.

According to planning documents, the scheme forms part of a wider national rollout to upgrade ageing phone boxes into "multi-functional communication hubs" suited to modern urban life.

Despite the rise in mobile phone use, the applicant argues that public phone access remains essential. Figures cited in the application suggest millions of people in the UK still lack reliable mobile access, while thousands of emergency and helpline calls continue to be made from public payphones each year.

A key feature of the kiosks is the inclusion of defibrillators, aimed at enhancing emergency response within busy public areas. These devices would be registered with national ambulance systems, allowing first responders to locate them swiftly.

The application, submitted by New World Payphones (NWP) also seeks permission for a kiosk at Leamington Spa Railway Station.

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83 – 95 Emscote Road where one of the kiosks will be if approved (image via Google Maps)

The kiosks will offer free emergency calls and access to support services such as helplines. The touchscreens positioned on the front would provide maps, local information, and accessibility features for users with reduced mobility.

Each kiosk will also feature a rear-facing digital advertising panel, displaying static images that change every 10 seconds.

The application states brightness levels would be carefully controlled and remain below recommended limits.

Planning rules mean the council will assess the advertising element mainly on its impact on visual amenity and public safety.

Warwick District Council will now review the application against local and national planning policies, including design, heritage impact and public safety considerations.

If approved, the kiosk would represent a shift from traditional red phone boxes to digitally connected street infrastructure—combining communication, advertising and public health features in a single unit.

View the full plans here.

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20 Coten End Warwick (image via Google Maps)