A Liverpool shopping centre has become an unlikely sanctuary for tens of thousands of bees, with a rooftop apiary producing a bumper harvest of honey while teaching staff new environmental skills.
St John’s Shopping Centre has quietly transformed its rooftop into a thriving habitat for approximately 180,000 bees during peak summer months. What began as an environmental initiative in 2021 has grown into a fully operational beekeeping programme that combines sustainability with community engagement.
Growing from Two to Three Hives
The project launched with two hives installed on the centre’s roof, strategically positioned beneath the iconic St John’s Beacon. A third hive was added in 2023, expanding the colony significantly.
“I never thought it would be part of my maintenance routine to look after beehives,” said Kieron Jones, maintenance supervisor at the centre. “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.”
Five members of staff have now completed formal beekeeper training, taking on the responsibility of maintaining the hives throughout the seasons. The programme was developed in partnership with NG Bailey, which provides maintenance support to the site.
Seasonal Cycles and Honey Production
The rooftop location proves ideal for the bees, according to Suzanne Moses, the centre’s sustainability manager. “They get the sunlight,” she explained. “When we tell shoppers and the public, they’re always surprised by what’s above them.”
This year’s harvest yielded an impressive 150 jars of honey, all processed in a dedicated workshop on the centre’s roof. The production takes place entirely on-site, from extraction to bottling.
As winter approaches, the bee population naturally decreases. “As we come to the winter months, the number of bees will reduce,” Jones noted. “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.”
Engaging the Next Generation
p>Local school children are playing a key role in the initiative. Students from Whitefield Primary School in Everton are currently designing labels for this year’s honey jars, adding a creative element to the educational programme.
“Another of our beekeepers goes into schools to run workshops, so it’s great to get that education to the next generation,” Jones added.
The honey will be distributed among staff, shoppers, tenants, and local charities, ensuring the fruits of the rooftop apiary benefit the wider community.
Why it Matters
This rooftop beekeeping initiative represents more than just honey production—it demonstrates how urban commercial spaces can actively contribute to environmental conservation while fostering community connections. With bee populations facing significant threats globally, projects like this provide crucial habitat restoration in city centres. The programme also highlights the potential for workplace learning initiatives to develop unexpected skills among employees, transforming routine maintenance roles into opportunities for environmental stewardship. Perhaps most importantly, by involving local schools and distributing honey throughout the community, St John’s Shopping Centre has created a model for how businesses can use their physical spaces to support biodiversity while strengthening social ties—an approach that could inspire similar developments across the UK’s urban landscape.
