A former bike workshop in Shirley will reopen as a specialist craft ale house following a £50,000 revamp.

The Hub Cycleworks on Shirley Road will become known as simply The Hub after being taken over by Craft 101.

Glenn Johnson, 48, along with his business partner, Meghan Trainor, 38, will fulfil a long-held ambition to open a craft ale house in Shirley when the establishment opens on Friday, November 17.

Glenn told the Echo: “I really think it’s something that will benefit the whole of Shirley.

“I’ve lived on the Isle of White for six years but before that I lived in Freemantle for eleven years and it’s a great place to be.

“I started brewing my own beer during lockdown and have taken it really seriously over the last three years.”

READ MORE: Caribbean restaurant with a twist to open in Shirley

Daily Echo:

Glenn is hoping his business venture on the mainland will offer customers an alternative to pubs, with a focus on craft beers.

He said: “There’s lots of great pubs around but we just want to be that little bit different where we can offer different drinks and tastes than elsewhere.

“A friend once said to me – ‘a beer is like cheese, it comes from a certain area and people are proud of it’ – we’d like to be on hand for the community.

“We’re close enough to the city centre but just far enough away where we can have our own unique setting.”

The Hub will open at the end of a £50,000 refit which includes a bespoke bar.

“I think opening six weeks before Christmas will create a really nice atmosphere where people are looking to come inside and have a drink together,” Glenn said.

He added: “We’re starting small and would like to expand in the new year – we’ll be open during the evening at first but then we’d like it to be somewhere where people can have a coffee too.

“The Hub is a historic landmark in Shirley and it’s in an area that’s thriving.

“We just can’t wait to open our doors and get started.”