Archaeologists have started work on land where a new multi-million-pound creative centre is destined for.
Construction is due to start on the Dover Beacon project later this year, with rundown buildings, including a nightclub, already torn down to make way for it.
But first specialist teams have moved in to see if they can unlock any history and archaeology in the area.
The works started this week at the Bench Street site, which will eventually be home to The Bench building – a new further education digital and creative campus, business centre and creative centre.
Dover District Council, which is behind the project, hopes the scheme will breathe new life into Dover.
Excavations are expected to be completed by the end of May, but this could change depending on if anything is found.
The first two weeks will involve a drilling rig taking core samples to help understand the history of the area.
Following this, work will start on the excavation of archaeological trenches and trial pits.
The team from Dover District Council, which is behind the project, have been working with a range of experts including Canterbury Archaeological Trust, who have extensive knowledge of the archaeology of the town and will be leading the work.
The authority warns there will be some noise and vibrations in the early days as the car park surface is broken up but working hours will only be between 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Leader of the council Cllr Kevin Mills (Lab) said: “This activity on site shows we are moving quickly on this ambitious project to breathe new life and opportunities into an underused part of the town.
“We are committed to creating a first-class further education campus, business centre and creative centre which will not only provide huge benefits to our residents and young people, but give our local economy a significant boost.”
Millions will be spent on the scheme – with £3.2 million coming from the government’s Future High Street Fund, £1.7 million from DDC’s town centre regeneration fund, £18.1 million funding awarded from the Levelling Up Fund and a further £1.8 million from DDC.
The ex-Funky Monkey nightclub was demolished last summer in preparation for the project, while the former Bench Street car park, which also forms part of the development site, was shut off in January.
This area is bordered by Bench Street, Fishmongers Lane, Mill Lane and Townwall Street, and is seen by DDC as an “entrance point” into the town.
Council bosses behind the development hope it will “kickstart the regeneration” of the town centre.
The building, which is expected to have 52 employees on opening, will be across four storeys and will have space for education, offices, a studio, gallery and cafe.
There will also be a small park and expansion of the new Dover Click2Cycle bike hire scheme, where electric bikes are available to hire.
