The everyday blog of Richard Bartle.
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8:42am on Saturday, 3rd October, 2026:
Weird
When I was at Queen Mary University London for the BIGGI conference last month, I encountered this phone booth near Mile End tube station.

It's looked much the same for several years. I don't know who operates it (it's painted black, so it's not one of BT's), and the handset has been torn off its cable so it couldn't be used to phone anyone anyway. I think it may have once doubled up as an ATM, but I doubt it serves that function now.
However, judging by the rust at the bottom and the stains on the footpath, it does seem to be enjoying a useful existence as a public lavatory.
I'm sure all the students who come to QMUL to study are thrilled to have this authentic example of British culture right on their doorstep.
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Copyright © 2026 Richard Bartle (richard@mud.co.uk).