A building assessment was carried out in the warehouses on Cambridge Road in 1996 and again in 1997 ahead of proposals to convert them into retail outlets.

Taken from the source (1997): Building 14, although different in size, is similar in form to building 11 suggesting that they may be almost contemporary, although only building 11 existed in 1861, building 12 and 13 were subsequently inserted between them. The unusual design of building 14, with is seemingly open archways at ground floor level is of some interest. Fairly certainly, the use of the building changed over time but the discovery of two marlin spikes within the building, together with the markings on the ground floor and the evidence from the Goad map indicate that ropes were once worked here. The arched openings in the north east wall could perhaps have been intended to allow good ventilation, such as would have been required if timbers were being seasoned or stored. The form of the first floor is completely different and indicates that other activities were undertaken here- the contrast between the well-lit north western half and the dimly lit south east half suggests separate uses were intended. On the evidence of the 1929 Goad map, it may be suggested that the well-lit north western half was then a carpenter’s workshop at the south eastern half was the chair store. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, The Dover Harbour Cambridge Road Warehouses, An Historic Building Survey. Part 2 (Unpublished document). SKE31647.