Archaeological monitoring was carried out by Colchester Archaeological Trust in April 2020 following the exposure of a post medieval foundation (F1) during the excavation of a pit for a new foundation pad to support a new flight of stairs, 0.9m x 0.9m in area x 0.75m deep.<1> The foundation F1 was probably late 17th century in date and was oriented east-west, lying on a similar alignment to the High Street itself. observed. It co,prised rubble set in lime mortar, 0.58m wide x 0.25-0.32m deep/high, and was cut into late 17th-century ?accumulation layer L4. It is likely that the foundation represents the remains of the 'Norfolk Houses', built in 1780-83, which formerly lined the thoroughfare. Previous excavations in the area have revealed large amounts of 17th- and 18th-century clay pipe fragments and possible fragmentary remains of a kiln, suggesting that a clay pipe kiln once stood nearby, and further clay pipe remains (64 fragments weighing 462g) – some embossed with the same manufacturers' stamp – were also recovered from this work.