An historic pub which has fallen into disrepair is set to be transformed into a £100,000 microbrewery.

The new owners hope to reopen the former Green Lion in High Street, Rainham, within a month after a full refurbishment.

The new venture in the heart of the town will prove popular with the increasing number of craft beer drinkers.

It will also breathe life into the vacant site which has been on the market for nearly two years and in recent months targeted by vandals.

The building is owned by north London-based Totteridge Developments, whose Nathan Plumley revealed the news.

He said: "It's exciting, the paperwork is about to be signed. The plan is to bring it back to its former glory."

He added the new tenants plan to spend up to £100,000 revamping the landmark hostelry.

The building was put back up for sale in July after a long-running plan to convert it into a children's day nursery fell through.

Business partners Laura Holland and Eve Poynter pulled out of the deal to open a branch of their Hedgehogs pre-schools after being deterred by restrictions required by council planners and conservationists.

Mr Plumley added: "Change of use has proved too difficult, so we have decided to revert back to it being used as a licensed premises."

Medway's first microbrewery – the Nelson Brewery – opened in Chatham Historic Dockyard 25 years ago.

Its craft ale brewed on site is available at Wetherspoon's pubs nationwide.

Last month we revealed how a former Rainham landlady had her eye on the Green Lion.

Tracy Besant wanted to use old favourites such as scampi and chips to entice locals back to the boozer.

A craft brewery or microbrewery is one which produces small amounts of beer, typically less than large breweries, and is often independently owned.

They are generally perceived and marketed as having an emphasis on enthusiasm, new flavours, and varied brewing techniques.

Details of the new owners will be revealed soon.

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