Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. The Listing only includes the Façade, the 1980's building behind is not listed. Main construction period 1846. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Post Medieval to Modern - 1846 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The following text is from the original listed building designation:

Only the façade is listed, the 1980's building behind the façade is not. Mid 19th century, 2 storeys. The ground floor stuccoed, 1st floor stock brick. Parapet with recessed panels and modillion cornice to right side only. 7 sashes set in moulded surrounds with pediments over. 10 plain pilasters, some with Composite heads. Stringcourse. Arcading having 7 arches with keystones and 3 entrances. All have fanlights with glazing bars. The interior has 2 rows of 6 plain Tuscan columns. Group value with No 20 (Prince Regent Public House). Listing NGR: TR3194241370 (1)

In April 1846, Edmund Woodthorpe presented a plan for what became the Market Hall and it was estimated that the edifice would cost £3,000. The lowest tender for building it was £344 and was submitted by local builder George Fry. Accepted, the new Market Hall with a Museum on the upper level opened in 1848. The market was held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, when produce, meat, butter and dairy products were sold. Outside, on the wall, a drinking fountain was erected on 15 May 1849.

During World War I (1914-1918), the Market Hall took on an altogether different role. Initially the indoor market carried on but they were moved out on Sunday 24 February 1916 when 58 bodies recovered from the torpedoed P&O liner Maloja were brought there. Following the incident it was decided to keep the Market Hall free for duration of the war, in case it was needed again for the same purpose. Former traders were allowed to use the building for storage purposes. The Hall was used again following the Nubian being torpedoed on 27 October 1916. On 20-21 April 1917 after an altercation between six German destroyers and two British ships, Swift and Broke and on Sunday 19 August 1917 for civilian casualties following the Crabble tram disaster. It was used again as mortuary in the weeks following 23 April 1918 and the Zeebrugge raid and in September 1918 following the Glatton catastrophe.

Following the War, council decided on a major refurbishment, in order to raise finance for the refurbishment, in 1921 the council agreed to increase tolls by 100% plus parking charges for motor vehicles. The Hall was ready for occupancy in 1928 and boasted of purpose built stalls and lock-up facilities but the rent was increased.

When 1930s economic depression hit, as part of job creation scheme, the council authorised the enlargement of the Market Hall and they allowed allotment holders and market gardeners to sell their produce in the Market Square.

The Market Hall took a battering during World War II (1939-1945). At 13.00hrs on 21 August 1940, it was badly damaged and on 26 September four shells fell in the Market Square area, killing two, injuring 18 others and damaging a great deal of property. At 12.50hrs on 21 October that year, a bomb hit the rear of the building, buried tons of foodstuffs and wrecked what was left of the Market Hall. The Market Hall and the Museum above closed for the remainder of the War.

In 1948, despite rainwater coming through the war-damaged roof, there were 23 stallholders in the Market Hall. Fourteen were selling food products, 6 non-food and 3 cafes. Slowly the building was renovated, the stalls increasingly became occupied and the Market Hall was the favourite shopping area for Dover people. In 1972, a development scheme for Market Square was proposed and this included the demolition of the Market Hall. With the threat of closure, the number of market traders dwindled but about the same time Hatton’s departmental store, in Biggin Street, closed and the remaining 23 stallholders were forced to move there. While this was going on John and Mary Dixon, along with members of the New Dover Group (forerunners of the Dover Society) campaigned to save the Market Hall and in 1973 they succeeded in having the façade listed. However, due to the failure of the redevelopment scheme, both the façade and the interior were abandoned and allowed to rot. In 1985, the Kent Building Preservation Trust identified 15 properties as historic buildings in the Dover District Council (DDC) area that were endangered by decay, one of which was the Market Hall. At that time, the Council considered rebuilding the back of the façade for a three- storey Heritage Centre. Work continued on the old Market Hall and it was turned into the Museum we see today. (summarised from source) (2)


A rescue excavation took place on the site of the market hall on the south side of Market Square in 1982. The market hall was built in 1845, severely damaged during the Second World War and partially rebuilt in 1947. A section of the wall of the Saxon shore fort was discovered underneath. (2)

The GIS polygon associated with this record does not represent the full extent or curtilage of the listed building but merely defines the outline of the building. For further information on the extent of the listed building please contact Dover District Council.

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

<2> Lorraine Sencicle, 2014, The Dover Historian - Markets Of Dover (Website). SKE32094.

<3> Brian Philp, 1983, Kent Archaeological Review: Market Hall Excavation 1982. Vol. 71 (Article in serial). SKE31825.

Sources and further reading

Related records