Relocating our Carna-bees
For nearly a decade, above the bustle of Broadwick Street, a wild rooftop garden has provided a home to bees at Hearst Magazines' offices in Carnaby.
The hives have been a great success in the area, feeding on the wonderful diversity of trees, shrubs and flowers located in the squares, roof terraces, and gardens of the West End. The hives have also produced a variety of delicious honeys, from mature cheshnuts producing dark, almost black honey to old limes, delivering a source of very pale honey.
Hearst Magazines is now relcoating to another office and a new home was needed for the bees. Shaftesbury adopted the hives and relocated the bees to a new permanent home, just fifty yards at rooftop level from their previous Broadwick Street address.
Relocating the hives was quite the adventure and not without mishap. Some of the bees returned to their old home in a state of confusion, and some even flew around aimlessly for a day or two until all were rounded by Shaftesbury's trusted beekeepers.
Reunited with their queen and sisters, the bees are enjoying their new home. The bees now reside in two brand-new hives on the wild rooftop garden at 21 Ganton Street. The new hives are surrounded by planters and trellis equipped with suitable forage for them to feed on.
Encompassed by colourful blooms and equipped with an abundance of forage, the bees are thriving in the ever-greener West End. As the summer approaches, they can be spotted in the local area, and Shaftesbury always keep a watchful eye on them from their office.
Quick Facts
Estate:
Shaftesbury
Location:
21 Ganton Street
Features:
Bee hives
Area of green space:
Green Roof with two bee hives