A new brewery wedding venue
Maidstone, Kent
Overview
Part of a working wine estate, this former brewery building had already found a new life on the ground floor which had a bar, restaurant, kitchen and offices humming with activity. But the first floor sat empty, full of potential and original character. The owners had a vision: a wedding venue worthy of the building’s structure. The first event they had in mind? Their brother’s wedding.
We were brought in to make that vision real, not just beautiful, but accessible, compliant and built to last.
The challenge
- Open up the first floor as a fully functioning wedding and events space without losing the raw industrial character that made the building special.
- Provide safe, dignified access to the first floor for all guests, including those with disabilities, meeting Part M building regulations without it feeling like an afterthought.
- Install new electrics and lighting that felt atmospheric and intentional, not like a building site retrofit.
- Work with, not against, the existing exposed brickwork, original rafters and roof structure that give the space its personality.
The vision
A venue that feels like it’s always been there. Where the roughness of the brick and the warmth of the timber overhead do the heavy lifting, and every guest, no matter how they arrive, feels like they belong from the moment they walk in.
The solution
Keeping the character intact. The existing brickwork, exposed rafters and roofwork weren’t obstacles, they were the brief. Every decision was made to complement what was already there, not cover it up. The result is a space that feels honestly industrial, not costume-dressed.
Access for everyone. A new internal and external staircase, plus a lift, means the first floor is fully accessible to all guests. This wasn’t just about ticking the Part M compliance box, it was about making sure that every single person who comes to celebrate here can do so with ease and dignity. The owners wanted their brother’s wedding to be perfect. That means no one left behind.
Lighting and electrics that set the scene. New electrics were installed throughout, with lighting designed to work with the industrial aesthetic, warm, considered and flexible enough to suit a ceremony, a reception or an evening of dancing.
Built around real use. The ground floor continues as a working bar, restaurant and kitchen. The first floor now operates independently above it as a dedicated events space, with the two floors complementing each other perfectly for full estate hire.
The outcome
A wedding venue with genuine character, the kind that can’t be manufactured. Guests arrive to exposed brick, original timber and a space that tells a real story. And everyone, regardless of mobility, gets to be part of it.
The first event? A wedding. Exactly as planned.
Why it works
Honesty over decoration. The shabby chic industrial look wasn’t imposed, it was revealed. We worked around what was already beautiful.
Compliance that doesn’t compromise. Meeting Part M regulations doesn’t have to mean clinical ramps and obvious additions. Done thoughtfully, accessibility becomes part of the architecture.
Personal stakes make better projects. When your client’s brother is the first person through the door for his wedding day, the bar for getting it right is exactly where it should be.