Hidden rooftop hives produce 150 jars of honey at Liverpool shopping centre
Three beehives on the roof of Liverpool’s St Johns Shopping Centre have produced enough honey for 150 jars this year. The project, launched with maintenance provider NG Bailey, has trained five members of staff as beekeepers and involves local schoolchildren in designing labels and learning about bees.
Thousands of bees living in hidden rooftop hives at Liverpool’s St Johns Shopping Centre have produced 150 jars of honey this year. Two hives were installed in 2021 and a third was added last year. During the summer peak, the three hives held about 180,000 bees, with each hive containing roughly 60,000 insects.
The project was developed by St Johns and maintenance provider NG Bailey as an environmental initiative. Five shopping-centre employees have received beekeeper training, adding hive care to their regular responsibilities. Kieron Jones, a maintenance supervisor, said he had not expected looking after beehives to become part of his job.
He said the project had provided another skill and allowed staff to contribute to the environment. Sustainability manager Suzanne Moses said shoppers were often surprised to learn that the hives were above them. She described the roof, in the shadow of St Johns Beacon, as a good location because the bees receive sunlight.
The honey will be given to staff, shoppers, tenants and charities. Children from Whitefield Primary School in Everton are designing this year’s labels, while one of the beekeepers also runs school workshops. Bee numbers will fall to about 10,000 to 15,000 across the hives during winter, Jones said.
Staff will return in January to check them, after the bees become less active from the end of the month.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.