Earliest known function, at least since 1834, of 167 Snargate Street was as a public house 'The Beehive Inn'. It was one of a number of similar establishments in this street and the surrounding area, which along with a number of brothels, offered recreation for the troops stationed at the nearby Western Heights. The lease was owned by the Dover Harbour Board when it was auctioned in 1859. By the early 20th century it had become a drapery with the owners, the Lawerance family, living next door at No.166. At some stage the shop closed and the building, along with No.166, was converted into flats.

A watching brief in 1995 during refurbishment recorded a cellar possibly connected with the Beehive Inn [TR 34 SW 672], two walls [TR 34 SW 445] and terracing at the rear of the building [TR 34 SW 673]. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1995, Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at 166-7 Snargate Street, Dover (Unpublished document). SKE8348.