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Asahi UK has revealed plans to close its Meantime site and bring the production of all its local beer brands together at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London. The company has proposed that the brewery, packaging and distribution of all Meantime and Dark Star products in the UK will be moved to the West London Griffin site, alongside the existing production of the complete Fuller’s beer portfolio. Asahi announced that it would be closing its Dark Star brewery in Sussex in 2022 due to economic challenges. The Dark Star brand’s operations were moved to the Meantime brewery in Greenwich. As part of this latest move, the beer giant said it intends to retain a footprint for Meantime in Greenwich with the creation of “a new standalone consumer retail experience,” including a continuation of brewing. The Meantime and Dark Star beers will retain their brand identities, separate from the Fuller’s range currently produced on-site in Chiswick. In a statement announcing the proposal, Asahi said that it believes this will be “the best course of action” for supporting the success of its brands and sites, helping to create more efficient and sustainable operations.
