A Liverpool shopping centre’s lesser known tenants are creating a buzz.
St Johns Shopping Centre has thousands of bees in hidden hives on the roof and some of the staff have even had beekeeper training.
Two hives were installed in 2021 and a third was set up last year. During summer peaks the hives become home to about 180,000 of the striped insects.
They produced a bumper amount of honey this year – enough for 150 jars of the sweet nectar – and local school children are helping design the labels.
The project was developed by St Johns and NG Bailey, who provide maintenance support to the site, after they wanted to do something for the environment.
Two hives were initially installed and staff were recruited to train as beekeepers. A third hive was added last year, with five members of staff now trained to look after them.
Kieron Jones, maintenance supervisor, told BBC Radio Merseyside: “I never thought it would be part of my maintenance routine to look after beehives.
“When it was suggested, it piqued our interest and we thought this is another skill set we can get, and it lets us give something back, so it was really good.”
The hives are positioned on the roof of the shopping centre, in the shadow of the famous St Johns Beacon.
