[1] By 1900 John Dennis and his brother Raymond ran a successful car and cycle manufacturing company in Guildford which lead them to set up workshops in the old barracks in Onslow Street.

Guildford Corporation's own power station, now the Electric Theatre, would be built adjacent to the factory some ten years later.

[2] In addition to manufacturing, the building was also used for developmental work, the most important example being the worm driven rear axle to replace the original chain drive on cars in 1903.

[1] In 1904 the building was extended and Dennis started making commercial vehicles as well as cars, initially vans and buses.

By 1913 all production had transferred to Woodbridge Hill but Bridge Street continued in use as the company offices and a commercial car servicing operation.

Dowdeswell and Taylors returned, joined by Keefe & Lewis who made cricket sweaters for county and national teams.

[2] In 1986, English Heritage stepped in and listed the building as Grade II for its place in the history of car making in Britain.