Work has now started to dismantle an aging former shopping centre which closed due to rising costs.

Part of the roof of De Bradelei Wharf in Dover has been removed ahead of its total demolition.

Photos taken over the last week show tarpaulin has been erected around the site, in Cambridge Road, which is close to the seafront and Wellington Docks.

The high tarpaulin would prevent stray debris falling onto the street but masonry will still be pulled in towards the centre of the building using machinery, according to a Dover District Council report.

Landowners the Port of Dover were granted planning permission for the demolition by the council in August.

The structure will be replaced by a car park in the interim until a decision is made on the sites’ permanent future use.

The building, which dates back to the 19th century, has asbestos, which is to be removed by specialists.

A report by Dover District Council officers says: “It is believed by the applicant that asbestos is confined to the roofing sheets and a coating beneath the roofing sheets.

“Further asbestos and other forms of contamination might be discovered prior to and during the demolition phase.”

A report by the application agents Knights Brown Construction says trials will be carried out to work out the safest method of removal and asbestos sheets will be taken away whole.

Asbestos lining had been used in buildings since Victorian times as it was fire resistant.

But in following decades it became increasingly clear fibres from broken asbestos, when inhaled, could cause diseases such as lung cancer.

It was finally completely banned in the UK in 1999.

The demolition site area for De Bradelei Wharf will also be fenced off. The building is not listed and not in a conservation area.

The application has only one public commentator, the civic group the Dover Society, which was against pulling it down.

It said the site had been used as boat building yards from the 19th century.

The society’s statement on the council’s planning portal said: “Dover’s very identity is in its maritime history and the loss would be detrimental to the longer term aspirations for the town as an historic site attracting visitors and promoting the prosperity of the town.”

The De Bradelei Wharf factory outlet shopping centre was established in 2002 when the the port authority converted part of the area’s former ship building sheds.

But it finally closed on July 14 this year and 25 members of staff were made redundant.

Site manager, Sally-Ann Vokes, described it as the "end of an era” and a “very sad day”.

The business’ owners JB Armstrong – which leased the building from Port of Dover – said the decision had to be made because of rising costs and expense of repairs for the tired building.

One department, ladies clothing, moved to a new premises in Biggin Street under the name Coastal. The cafe also relocated to Ashford.

A Port of Dover spokesperson said: “Following the retail outlet’s decision to close De Bradelei Wharf in July, construction work will take place on the site in order for us to explore potential future use, with demolition taking place gradually over the coming months.”