A former plastic works, cardboard factory and printing press in Hackney Wick is on course to be transformed into a hub for beer lovers.

Hackney Gazette: The renovation is expected to cost upwards of ?300,000 and be done by January. Picture: Jonny GarrettThe renovation is expected to cost upwards of ?300,000 and be done by January. Picture: Jonny Garrett (Image: Archant)

Cave Direct, which has been in business since 1979, is hoping to raise up to £100,000 to turn the building in Wallis Road into a blendery and taproom.

The project is expected to cost upwards of £300,000 and be done by January. It will be the online retailer’s first taproom. To help them get there, the team today launched a £50,000 crowdfunder.

Marketing manager Jonny Garrett told the Gazette: “We are hoping to reduce our lending costs and this represents a great way to get people involved with the project. We are looking to raise £50,000 initially, but then up to £100,000 in total.”

Of the building, he added: “It’s been an empty space for a few years, but it’s a beautiful, big place with lovely rustic walls and burnt metalwork. It’s going to be a really relaxed warehouse full of lovely furniture.”

Cave Direct also plans to develop the UK’s first sour beer blendery at the site, which Garrett said will add to the area’s eclectic mix of existing breweries.

“It’s already got that vibrant brewing scene which we really wanted to be a part of,” he said.

“We thought we could do something different – we can add something to the area and the area can be beneficial to us too.”

Anyone who donates will get a lifelong 5 per cent discount off all online orders placed with Cave Direct, and will have any investment returned twofold as a bar tab once the taproom is open.

The 24-tap bar will house a range of beers from across the UK including offerings from London’s own Gipsy Hill and Beavertown breweries.