Princesshay honey is the buzziness!

Following the launch of the city garden and the housing of three bee hives on the roof tops of the Princesshay Shopping Centre in April 2013; the busy honey bees have produced their first pots of honey!

The nucleus hive, also known as a beginner’s hive does not usually produce honey during its first year, however, the Princesshay bees have produced 3 pounds of honey in just four months, which has equated to three jars of delicious, dark runny honey.

The expertly chosen bee friendly flora and fauna combined with an amazing summer and attentive care has boosted the production of honey and encouraged the bees to do what they do best, resulting in an unexpected delivery of honey.

Jason Wallis from WeeTree Nurseries said: “I’m really pleased to see the bees have produced honey the first season. The colony is certainly a happy one to have produced this amount in a short time. The honey is dark in colour, and has floral tones to its taste; this is due to different flowers featured in the raised beds of the roof top garden. Hints of lavender definitely shine through – it really is delicious.”

The three hives currently house 10,000 honey bees each, but with winter fast approaching the bees will begin to cluster around the queen bee to keep her warm rather than collecting pollen and nectar for the production of honey. They will leave the hive on warmer days for cleansing flights only. The bees will return to their working schedules in the spring of next year.

Andy Littlejohns, Princesshay’s Operation Manager said: “It’s been truly fantastic to see my initial idea finally a reality. To actually be producing honey four months in is fantastic.  I feel incredibly proud to be part of such a successful team”.

Andy Littlejohns and his team are looking to take the environmental initiative to the next level with the planting of a selection fruit bearing plants and trees on the roof top paradise of Princesshay. Apples, pears, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries will be added to the garden. These new additions will be warmly welcomed by the honey bees and will allow for a greater depth of flavor to the next harvest of honey.