Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
From jumps to hops for ex-trampoline site
Thousands of litres of beer could be made every month at a former trampoline centre in Canterbury, it has been revealed.
Margate-based company Floc has unveiled plans to convert Aire Trampoline Club’s former site at Wincheap Industrial Estate into a microbrewery.
The firm wants to produce canned and kegged craft ales from the Cotton Road site to be sold to pubs, restaurants and off-licences nearby.
The booze will also be available for punters to try at the building’s planned taproom. Floc says if given approval they hope the taproom could be open from February next year, initially on Saturdays and Sundays.
Papers lodged with Canterbury City Council say: “Floc plans to start production at 80 barrels – or 12,800 litres – per month.
“Floc is very keen to begin expansion as soon as possible, bringing a new and exciting venture to the Canterbury area.
“As they are not able to keep up with demand, the unit will allow them to expand to meet demand. Floc’s beers will be sold directly from the brewery for on- and off-site consumption and to local outlets such as public houses, bars, restaurants and off-licences.”
The drinks will also be available to beer lovers across the country through orders online.
The facility is initially expected to brew the beverages four times a month, before doubling the amount it produces after half a year.
It will move into a site that has sat empty since Aire Trampoline Club left the premises after 11 years last February due to high rents and overheads.
“The proposal will secure a long-term tenant for the site and bring it back into use,” the documents continue.
“The proposed change of use will enhance the business park and create new job opportunities for the local area.”
Floc, which was only launched
last year, expects the site to employ three members of staff on full-time contracts, as well as others on a temporary basis.
The scheme has already attracted the support of local businessman Mike Knell, who owns a number of Escape Rooms in the city.
In a letter to the local authority, he said: “Our customers are regularly looking for places to go for drinks after their experiences with us. This building has sat empty for a long period of time and it would be great to have something like this included in the area to help bring in more people.”
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