In mid 1940 it became clear that there was insufficient air-raid shelter accommodation in Canterbury and a scheme was drawn up for eight new communal surface shelters, each to house fifty persons. This seems to have been modified, slightly, and the resulting shelters were based on modules each housing forty eight. These were to be built of brick and concrete. One such shelter, approved toward the end of July was to be beside Northgate Street ‘opposite [the] junction of Kingsmead road’ (in fact it was a little to the south of the junction, on the east side of Northgate; the land may have belonged to the Prince of Wales Institute, a nearby building, since demolished, which saw civil-defence use during Second World War, and where a Nissen-hut shelter would later be sited). This communal shelter was intended to house ninety-six persons. In August 1940, the tender of Mr G.A. Stone accepted to build the shelters. Toward the end of March 1941 a concrete floor was provided. This shelter was strengthened with reinforced concrete in February 1942.
Owner : Unknown
Publicly accessible : Unknown
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : Destroyed
Date of visit :

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). SKE14924.

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). Ske14924.