A wine producer has exchanged contracts on the site where it aims to build an “exceptional” brewery and visitor centre.

Chapel Down Group, of Tenterden, will construct the new ale and lager factory in Victoria Way for its growing beer and cider business, Curious Drinks.

Subject to planning approval, the centre will be within easy walking distance of the high-speed rail link to the continent and to London and could become a major tourist site in the heart of Ashford.

It follows a £1.7 million fundraising effort which attracted 895 investors as part of a Seedrs equity crowdfunding scheme.

They will enjoy benefits including owning a share of Curious Drinks, and almost a third of donors are from Kent.

The company saw a 50% growth in sales last year, with demand being driven from posh restaurants, trendy bars and swanky hotels.

The 1.6 acre site will boast a state of the art brewery and a visitor centre, and has been designed by Guy Holloway Architects alongside developer U+I.

Chapel Down chief executive Frazer Thompson said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts on a freehold site that will see the development of the Curious Brewery.

“It will be a very exciting development for Ashford, for Kent and for contemporary British brewing.

“We’ve had tremendous support from Ashford Borough Council and are looking forward to working with architects, Guy Hollaway, and developers, U+I, to create something exceptional.”

Meanwhile architect Guy Hollaway added: “We are delighted to be working with Chapel Down and U+I to create a combined new brewery and destination experience.

“The new bespoke Curious Brewery is set to put Ashford on the map.”

The council hopes the facility will be one of many new projects to boost tourism and is planned alongside major regeneration along Victoria Way and in Elwick Road.

It could be joined by another major regeneration project at the former Klondyke rail works, where there are plans for a new model railway visitor centre next to the Designer Outlet.