PLANS to turn a cider brewery into a tourist attraction have been revealed as the company moves into its first permanent building.

Thistly Cross has been producing its craft cider from a number of places as it built its business.

Now the company, which has been described as having a ‘nomadic existence’, has placed roots in a building  in West Barns.

And it has revealed plans to grow and turn its new premises into a visitor attraction for the future.

Speaking at a meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board, the company’s legal representative Niall Hassard said they hoped to expand the business which, he said, had become a huge success in a relatively short time.

Thistly Cross,  which was launched in 2008, applied for a licence for the site at The Works, Implement Road, to allow them to store and distribute their cider.

Mr Hassard said: “The production has had a nomadic existences moving from different buildings and units as it has grown and really there has been an aspiration to bring it together.

“This particular site provides them with a home for the entire production and storage of the product and ultimately its distribution.

“There are plans to redevelop the outbuildings on the site and hopefully make it a visitor attraction where people can come and see the production and there are hopes to have a visitors shop.”

Mr Hassard said Thistly Cross hoped to return to the licensing board with more details of future plans as they develop.

He said: “It has benn a huge success in a relatively short period of time due to the quality of the products which is currently exported to 20 countries and 25 states in the US.”

The board approved the licence unanimously.