Former site of the Ark Café, a timber-framed building set on dwarf ragstone footings with stone rubble and brick infilling built around 1710-1720 on top of the stone mole jutting into the harbour. Sometime before the mid 18th century an extension was added to the south of the building. It was derelict form 1976 onwards until 1987 when it was demolished after damage caused by the 1987 Great Storm during conservation work. The building was used as the Old Arke Dining Room, later the Ark Cafe during the later 19th and 20th centuries. Evidence of the buildings' foundations and a blocked cellar were found during a watching brief in 2000. (2)

Further elements of these buildings were found during a watching brief in 2011, including detailed plans of their layout and construction plus wells and fireplaces. (3)

The Ark Café was formerly a listed building. The text of the listing was as follows:

1. 5281 BEACH STREET FOLKESTONE TR 2336 SW 3/59 Nos 15 to 19 (odd) (The Ark Cafe) II

1. 5281 BEACH STREET FOLKESTONE Nos 15 to l9 (odd) (The Ark Cate) TR 2236 SE 3/59 II 2. This is the only remaining building from the old fishing village at Folkestone. C17 and later. 2 storeys and attics. The right side portion is now pebbledashed. Renewed tiled roof with gable to right hand side. 1 nipped dormer. Coved eaves cornice. 2 sashes Later shopfront. Tile left hand portion is of 2 storeys weatherboarded. Mansard roof now covered with tarred sheeting. 2 altered sashes.
Listing NGR: TR2326636011
(1)

Historic England archive material: BF033711 THE ARK CAFE, BEACH STREET, FOLKESTONE

<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Folkestone Harbourside Improvement Scheme Report on Watching Brief March-October 2000 (Unpublished document). SKE7981.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2011, An archaeological watching brief at Fountain Square, Beach Street, Folkestone (Unpublished document). SKE17258.