A PLAN to repurpose an old telephone box as a tourist information hub in Moffat town centre has received backing from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Moffat and District Community Council (MDCC) took ownership of the red phone box from BT after it was removed from Park Circle four years ago.
Now community councillors have applied to the Scotland Loves Local fund seeking a grant to site it in Moffat High Street and have it renovated as a “digital hub point”, including installing a large touch screen linked to the VisitMoffat website as a way for visitors to easily find out more about the town and what it has to offer.
And the council has agreed to match fund the application if the grant to Scotland Loves Local is successful.
MDCC’s grant application states: “The phone box will act as a gateway for people to explore the local area, giving useful information and encouraging them to stay longer – and hopefully to return.
“The phone box would be located outside the town hall where it would be visible to passing traffic on the A701 through-road and be readily accessible to visitors who park on the High Street.
“It would be fitted with a digital timer lock mechanism which would enable the phone box to be used during specified hours and prevent vandalism at night. It would be well lit and be seen as a bright, attractive feature on the High Street.”
Community councillor Bryony Ladd-Smith said at the group’s monthly meeting last week that the council “really liked the idea,” adding if it is selected by the Scotland Loves Local committee this month then over £10,000 of funding could go toward the project.
