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Archaeology investigation after vault discovered

Tanya GuptaSouth East
News imageLocal Democracy Reporting Service A small public square is surrounded by buildings on three sides. A public path runs along the square, and there are steps leading up to the square which has a war memorial and the entrance to the former Nason's department store. The main street is pedestrianised and there are bollards and a waste bin and people are walking around and sitting on the walls.Local Democracy Reporting Service
The square in Canterbury is home to a war memorial and a former department store

An underground vault has been uncovered beneath a run-down public square in Kent, with archaeological investigations under way as part of a £200,000 revamp.

The historical structure was found under paving in St Mary Bredman Square, near the former Nason's department store in Canterbury, where improvement works began on Monday, Canterbury City Council said.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust is examining the vault in the square, which used to be the site of a church, and is now home to a war memorial, seating and flowerbeds.

Work will include repositioning gravestones, so they are easier to see and moving a historic horse trough, the council said.

A mural will also be created to reflect the square's former use as a church.

News imageCanterbury City Council A drawing of how a public square could look after refurbishment shows more planting and seating, steps leading up to the square from the main street and a footpath, and a mural of a church window on the side of a building.Canterbury City Council
A mural will be created to reflect the square's former use as a church

Other plans include installing new steps, relaying all the paving, increasing the planting area and adding new benches, the council added.

Councillor Charlotte Cornell said it was exciting to see a "key city space brought back to life".

She added that the "thoughtful design" reflected its use as a church site, while offering calm and serenity off the busy high street.

Most of the work will be completed by the end of March, with the mural and flowerbed following later, the council said.

Plans for the former Nason's building remain in development after consent for an earlier scheme lapsed, with new proposals expected after issues affecting the site are resolved.

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