Full Breakdown
Rooftop Beekeeping Boosts Biodiversity at Liverpool’s St John’s Shopping Centre
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Initiative: Rooftop Hives at St John’s Shopping Centre
St John’s Shopping Centre in Liverpool has installed three beehives on its roof, creating a hidden urban apiary. The first two hives were placed in 2021, and a third was added the following year. During the summer peak, the hives host roughly 180,000 striped honey-bees, providing a substantial pollinator presence in the city centre.
Development and Partnerships
The project was jointly developed by the shopping centre’s management and NG Bailey, a firm that supplies maintenance services to the site. After deciding to pursue an environmental initiative, staff members were recruited and trained as beekeepers. Five employees now hold beekeeping qualifications, enabling routine hive inspections and maintenance.
Scale of the Bee Population and Honey Production
The three hives have generated a “bumper” honey harvest this year, sufficient to fill about 150 jars. Local schoolchildren have been involved in designing the honey labels, linking the enterprise to community education.
Community and Environmental Impact
By situating the hives in the shadow of the iconic St John’s Beacon, the centre provides a safe habitat for bees while raising public awareness of pollinator health. The presence of a large bee population supports urban biodiversity and offers an educational platform for visitors and students alike.
Official Perspectives
Kieron Jones, the centre’s maintenance supervisor, explained that managing the hives was an unexpected addition to his duties but welcomed the opportunity to acquire new skills and contribute positively to the environment. He described the initiative as a way for staff to “give something back” to the community and the ecosystem.
The rooftop apiary exemplifies how commercial properties can integrate modest ecological projects, delivering tangible benefits for wildlife, local schools, and the broader public.