An application filed before the Planning Authority could see the iconic British-era red telephone box in Independence Square, Valletta, be turned into a advertising booth.

The application, filed by Jair Cordina, proposes a “change of use from telephone box to advertising booth, including full restoration of telephone box.”

According to the submitted plans, the main advertising space will be on the inside of the booth, with the sign covering the entire back panel. Smaller strip adverts could also be placed outside, on the top part of the booth.

Back in 2001, the Planning Authority had granted Grade 2 protection status to the telephone booth structures in Valletta.

This is not the only recent proposal to turn some of Malta’s historic aspects into advertising space.

Heritage Malta had, recently, issued a Facebook post regarding advertising space on the historic wall of Fort St Angelo. Heritage Malta later apologised, and said that the post was misleading.

It was later reported that Heritage Malta apologised for the post and clarified that the projections shown in that space are limited to national events, and events of a historical, artistic and cultural nature.