Beer-lovers are on the way to saving Stroud Brewery, raising nearly £87,000 in donations, memberships and ‘pre-sales’.

Stroud Brewery is at risk of bankruptcy without public support, with the business losing £20,000 a month in lockdown according to its owner.

But its month-long fundraising campaign has taken off, with 87 per cent of it’s £100,000 target raised by the halfway point.

“We are filled with optimism, we’re really pleased, but in some ways not surprised because we know we’ve got such a fantastic and loyal base of supporters,” said owner Greg Pilley.

“A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us and shared our campaign, I think it is really reassuring to know that we have such a supportive fan base and at a time where everything’s feeling quite fragile that’s a real boost to us.”

Coronavirus restrictions have caused the Brewery’s sales to drop by 80 per cent and they still have to pay rent, insurance and for organic certification, but £100,000 will keep the business afloat until the end of April.

If the rate of sales and donations continues for the rest of the fundraising campaign, the company could smash their target and raise £145,000, allowing them to diversify their revenue streams during the pandemic.

For example, the Brewery is working with River Cottage, the brand owned by TV chef and environmental activist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, to launch a new organic beer range.

The most popular package is Boy Could I Do with a Drink – 4 mixed beer cans delivered – which 191 customers have bought at £20.

Next is the aptly named How’s this for Generous, a package of 12 mixed beers and a T-shirt for £50.

Every person who contributors to the fundraiser also receives tickets to Stroud Brewery’s Survival Supporters & Brilliant Beer Backers Party, coming after pandemic restrictions end.

Mr Pilley called on the Government to provide targeted support for hospitality if Covid-19 restrictions continue past April.

“Otherwise we’re going to lose that sector because you can’t survive indefinitely,” he said.

Almost 300,000 people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, accounting for over a third of all job losses between February and November, according to the Office for National Statistics.