Bees create a buzz at Liverpool shopping centre

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.

Sustainability manager, Suzanne Moses said it has been exciting for the team to learn new skills and it has brought them together.

She said the shopping centre's rooftop was "a great spot".

"[The bees] get the sunlight. When we tell shoppers and the public, they're always surprised by what's above them."

This year, the bees have produced 150 jars of honey – all of which is done in a workshop on the centre roof.

The jars will be given away to staff, shoppers, tenants and charities.

"It's been a really good yield this year," said Suzanne.

"Children from Whitefield Primary School in Everton will be designing this year's labels, so it's a great way to get them involved.

"And another of our beekeepers... goes into schools to run workshops, so it's great to get that education to the next generation."

Kieron added: "As we come to the winter months, the number of bees will reduce.

"Summer peaks about 60,000 bees per hive, so we have about 180,000 bees across the three hives.

"That will reduce down to about 10-15,000 bees over the winter.

"We'll go back in January to make sure they're OK but the bees will be asleep from the end of this month so it does get a bit easier – and we have a rest with the bees."

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