The quay (the waterfront) forms the southern boundary of the town stretching from the present day Smugglers Wharf in the west to The Folly in the east. In the post-mediaeval period Wivenhoe served as an entrepôt for Colchester and it is possible that it served the same function in the mediaeval period. The fishing industry would also have played a major role in the economic life of the town. It is probable that the mediaeval buildings facing on to the quay included warehousing and fish-processing facilities, whilst there may also have been boat building yard on the quay itself. The quay is recorded as MCC5045 in the Historic Environment Record. ERO holds a number of records relating to the quay from the 17th century onward. One of the earliest relates to the attempts to prevent a packet boat off-loading passengers on the quay for fear they might be carrying the plague, Q/SR 406/104 dated 4 August 1665. See also D/DHt T486 dated 1799 Medlycott, M., Wivenhoe Historic Town Assessment Report (1999)