Atherton telephone box redecorated in honour of Keely Hodgkinson

With Olympic and Great Britain flags flying proudly around Atherton as Keely embarked on her Olympic journey, the town wanted to do something special to celebrate her historic 800m win in Paris.

Local councillors had contacted Royal Mail to enquire about painting a postbox gold, as happened in Olympian hometowns following the 2012 Olympics in London.

However, as this request was denied, the community worked out another way to commemorate the Olympian.

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The phone box interior design (Image: Cllr Gerrard)
A few years ago, the Atherton Community Trust adopted the phone box outside Atherton Town Hall as councillors believed that the k6 kiosk should be preserved for future use.

Following Keely’s 800m in Paris, the Bolton Road telephone box has become a community landmark after local councillors, business owners, and residents came together to work on the project.

With paint supplied by Palatine Paints, volunteers Brian Seddon and Keith Paxford helped to paint the telephone box, while AC Glazing offered to fully replace the glass.

The Cabinet bar and restaurant owners Kieron and Patrick McLoughlin offered to pay for any expense incurred, including the commemorative board that has been placed inside, which was designed and supplied by Mourad Dehmas at Imagine Design and Print.

The telephone box has been completed and funded by the community (Image: Cllr Gerrard)
Praising the “fantastic” assistance from local residents and businesses, Independent Network councillor for Atherton North, Stuart Gerrard, said the gold telephone box is a “perfect way” to celebrate Keely’s victory.

The telephone box adds to the mural designed in Keely’s honour on Church Street, Atherton, and her ‘Believe’ star outside Leigh Town Hall, which is also set to receive a golden makeover.

The post boxes in Atherton are set to be repainted by Royal Mail, Cllr Gerrard confirmed.