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Sales bureaux changed little over the decades until the 1970s when the range of telephones and services began to noticeably expand and reflect a faster changing world. |
In the 1960 and 1970s, most Telephone Manager's Offices had a Sales Bureau for members of the public to apply to 'go on the telephone'. Often there were shortages of both line plant and equipment and, in many cases, potential subscribers were placed on the Waiting List.
A typical office had a public counter for bill payments and queries, as well as the Sales Bureau. The larger offices had a display of telephone equipment, leaflets and educational pamphlets about the Telephone Service.
Bromley Sales Bureau
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Featuring Bromley Sales Bureau... |
Telephone Area Offices played a key role in educating the customers as to the correct use of the telephone service and how to get the most from the equipment and facilities that were supplied.
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Telephone Areas were supported by THQ publicity and education services. Booklets, leaflets and posters were provided for school students and exhibitions were held for the public. |
Local marketing initiatives lead to 'shops in shops' agreements whereby 'Telephone Sales' had a stand within local department stores, such as Keddies in Southend and Bolingbroke and Wenley in Chelmsford. However, it wasn't until after privatisation that British Telecom had its own branded shops. Even then the shops relied upon the main office for support, in early days ringing through for slots in the engineers' appointment books.
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In January 1985 British Telecom moved into the High Street with the opening of the first of its new-style Phoneshops. |
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