Dalston Cola has toasted long-awaited funding with fresh branding as it bids to become an established soft-drink company.

Hackney Gazette: The new-look Dalston Cola bottlesThe new-look Dalston Cola bottles (Image: Archant)

Founder Duncan O’Brien spent a gruelling 18 months trying to secure investment, but has now got backing and is looking to the future by launching a new Dalston’s range.

The business was founded in 2012 at Passing Clouds before moving to a factory in Hackney Wick, and the guys are now building a site under railway arches in Mile End.

“It’s hugely exciting. We’ve worked really hard to grow the business in the right way,” Duncan told the Gazette. “We decided we needed a new design and the B+B agency were the best people to do it.

“We sold 230,000 bottles last year, all hand made in the factory. Our aim is to be selling 10 times that. We want to be profitable and still have fun.”

The new Dalston’s drinks include cream soda and fizzy apple, while the ginger beer and cola now fall below the sugar tax threshold.