Site of former tannery bisected by the Delf stream. Test pit survey in advance of proposed redevelopment (1991) revealed that tannery was built on made ground of rubble and (in places) tannery refuse between 0.5 and 1.5m deep. Buildings mostly demolished by 1991, but buried tanks and liquid effluent channels set into floor survived in situ, mostly in South part of site. Smaller tank surviving at extreme North of site. Rubble made ground floor found to be laid on timber raft in places. (1)

Evaluation work in 1993 at TR 328 582, located MD ditches and pits, PM pits, a tannery tank and a MO wall. (2)

Earliest ref to tannery dates from 1832, expanded after 1861. Change in use of site c.1940 for the storage of pickling materials. Around 1950, it was again opened as a tannery. 1 building noted as being of special architectural or historical interest in 1976: 3 storey, part yelow brick and part weatherboarding with timber shutters and plain tiled roof. Tannery buildings all demolished in the 1980's. Watching brief in 1994 located a series of MD walls, associated with construction levels, floors and occupation deposits, apparently related to 2 succesive buildings. Previous work had noted C14-18 deposits. (3)

Evaluation in 1993 undertaken at the former tannery site for proposed building works, uncovered evidence that there was activity on the site in the 15th-17th centuries, concentrated near the Loop Street frontage. Evidence consisted of a ditch containing c.1475/1500-1550 AD ceramic material, which may have been a tributary to the Delf. Pits containing medieval material and a wall foundation of later Medieval or post Medieval date. (4)

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Loop St,Sandwich, Ground contamination investigation 1991, A.G. Weeks Geotechnical Ltd. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Arch evaluation of former tannery, CAT, 1993. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1994, Sandwich 1994, Loop Street: Watching Brief, Groundwork Phase I and II (Unpublished document). SKE6941.

<4> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1993, An archaeological evaluation of the former tannery, Loop Street, Sandwich, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE8089.