A CURIOUS building standing by Teignmouth Docks entrance is passed by countless pedestrians every day, yet few may ponder its multitude of previous uses.

A sign for the indoor bowling club at the top of a steep staircase can be seen in Willow Street next to the funeral director’s entrance.

Pike Ward ship brokers, established 130 years ago, is at the top of the outside steps and connects Teignmouth with the world of shipping day and night. The building, which is listed, has also been a fish store and a bridewell – a prison for local miscreants. French prisoners were also incarcerated there during the Napoleonic wars.

All along one side, a number of unusual shaped windows survive those dreadful days and one of the windows was donated to Teign Heritage.

In 1902, Richard Brock Ferris, a Dawlish brewer and blender of whisky used a bonded warehouse in Teignmouth – possibly on this site. His oatmeal stout was said to be finer than Guinness and he bought up 28 pubs then sold out to Heavitree Brewery which promptly closed Ferris and moved everything to Exeter.

Some may remember it as a warehouse for the removal firm, Pickfords, where a serious fire broke out in 1956.

A stupendous photograph of firemen being served sustenance by the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) was used for the cover of one of my books. A company founded two generations ago by cousins, Gordon Bond and Bob Vinnicombe acquired the building remains family-owned. When Vinnicombe’s ran their licensed premises in Northumberland Place (lately Marquis of Queensbury) the alcohol was stored in the bonded warehouse in the cellar of this building.

READ THE FULL STORY IN FRIDAY’S PAPER.