The first edition OS map notes the presence of a ‘Malt House’ on the corner of Dolphin Lane and Castle Street, Dover. (1) It is also shown on the Tithe Map of dover which dates to 1843. (2) This is the location of the Offices of the Phoenix Brewery which had multiple malt houses located across Dover. In ‘Dover Illustrated’ which gives a description of the town how it was in c. 1900 notes ‘at the corner of Castle Street are the offices, a handsome three-floored building of Kentish rag-stone, faced with polished granite’ (3) a news report dating to 1890 also notes the presence of offices here ‘Messrs. Leney's New Offices in Castle Street were opened this week. They are without exception, the finest and best arranged business premises in Dover’. (4)

The original building has been largely demolished with the Castle Street end portion replaced by an office building of early 20th century date. The rest of the building has been gutted and re-fronted with a flint-clad office building, probably earlier in date than that at the Castle Street end. The north and east walls have been retained, preserving a four bay section of the maltings which appears to have three or four storeys high. Blocked windows can be seen in the east wall, some low enough to suggest a basement level. The division of the three buildings that replace the maltings could suggest the kiln having been at the west (Castle Street) end or in the middle.(5)

<1> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 1st edition 1862-1875): Landmark Epoch 1 (Map). SKE30964.

<2> 1843, Tithe Map Dover 1843 (OS Card Reference). SKE50577.

<3> J. Rochard, 1900, Dover Illustrated (Monograph). SKE32103.

<4> Unknown, 1890, The Dover Express and East Kent News (Newspaper). SKE32106.

<5> N/A, Information provided by Kent HER/SMR (Verbal communication). SKE32107.