Meantime Brewery to Move Production Out of Greenwich, Retains Presence with New Retail Experience
Beloved local brewery Meantime is set to move its production operations out of Greenwich under a proposal announced by its parent company, Asahi UK, today.
The proposal outlines plans to consolidate the production of all of Asahi UK's local beer brands, including Meantime and Dark Star, at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, West London. This historic site, which has been brewing beer since the 17th century, will also house the production of the complete Fuller's beer portfolio.
While the news may shock some local residents, Asahi UK assures that this move will be "mutually beneficial" for both the Chiswick site and the brands involved. They emphasise that the consolidation will leverage existing expertise and capabilities, creating a more efficient and sustainable operation.
However, there's a silver lining for Greenwich. Though production will move, Asahi UK plans to retain a "footprint" in the borough. This will take the form of a new standalone consumer retail experience, including a continuation of brewing, allowing visitors to experience the brand's roots as a pioneer of modern craft beer in Greenwich.
While the future of some jobs at the current brewery remains uncertain, Asahi UK assures its commitment to treating all impacted colleagues "with compassion and respect." They believe this move is ultimately the best action to "support the success of our brands and our sites."
Maritime Radio will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
