The Craft Hub is creating a new community space at Rochester’s historic Lion Brewery — a place to meet, make, learn and share.
The Lion Brewery has been part of Rochester’s story for generations. We are working to bring part of it back into active use as The Craft Hub: a welcoming space built around local drinks, creativity, practical skills and community connection.
Our cycle represents our long-term promise to build value for Rochester's community.
Shaping our future together through five clear principles
The Craft Hub will create opportunities for people to teach, demonstrate and exchange skills — from brewing, fermentation and food to art, heritage, gardening, repair, making and other practical crafts.
You will not need to be an expert to take part. The aim is to create an open and welcoming environment where experience can be shared across generations and communities.
Have a skill, idea or local project you would like to share? Add your idea to our mock collaboration board on the right!
See what ideas other Rochester residents are pinning below.
"Willing to bring vintage tools and teach basic restoration of household furniture."
— Claire, Strood
"I can share pottery wheel techniques using local Medway clays."
— Medway Makers
We are currently developing the site, working through the necessary permissions and building relationships with local producers, organisations and community groups.
Refining layout blueprints for production brewing, classroom workspace, and community social areas inside the brewery building structures.
Connecting with Kent growers, Medway artists, craft makers, and local agencies to craft collaborative programs before opening the doors.
Hosting early pop-ups, tasting collaborations, and practical skill exchanges to sample what visitors want inside the permanent home.
Before the permanent space opens, we are bringing the Craft Hub idea to life through pop-ups, local events, collaborations and products such as Lion’s Lager (4.4% vol).
These early activities allow people to meet us, experience the idea first-hand, and help influence what comes next. The project is alive and growing, not just a plan on paper!
Follow The Craft Hub for project updates, event announcements, behind-the-scenes progress and future opportunities to collaborate, contribute or visit.
Thank you for joining. Your registration was secured in our holding database. We can't wait to share our milestones at the Lion Brewery with you.
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