Mace supports three beehives on top of White City development

Mace has joined forces with the London Bee Company to install three bee colonies on the roof of the BBC's former home, White City. Besides introducing bees into the region, the project also offers school children the opportunity to see a bee hive close up.

Concerns globally about the health of bees has mounted in recent years, as colony collapse numbers continue to increase. Bees remain a key part of the global food net, and biodiversity more generally, pollinating key crops and plants across the globe.

Efforts globally continue to be focused on improving the lot of bees and other pollinators, from research into key causes for their collapsing numbers, to increasing the availability of diverse sources of food supplies – flowers.

Some areas, particularly those with a considerable built environment, pose their own risks for bees – from public fear to a lack of suitable locations for hives. Mace recently announced, as part of its wider corporate social responsibility activities, that it is providing sanctuary to three beehives on top of White City, the former home of the BBC – which has now become a 130,000-square metre mixed-use redevelopment.

The programme, which involves collaboration with the London Bee Company* (LBC), will also work with local primary schools to show children the character of honey bees and their keeping. Honey won from the bees, who will have plentiful food from across the region, will can be bought through the LBC website.

Mace’s Employment and Community Engagement Manager at Television Centre, Fiona Henderson, says, “We wanted to bring the bee boxes to Television Centre in order to support local, small businesses and also increase our sustainability measures. It’s great to have them here and we are looking forward to getting the neighbouring primary school involved, showing them what we are doing on site both in terms of construction and this sustainability initiative.”

The London Bee company remarks, “Being able to have three boxes on the roof Television Centre is amazing. London sites are great for our bees, as they can travel up to three miles and the amount of different plants they collect nectar from keeps them happy, healthy and ultimately produces the best honey! Many thanks to Mace and Television Centre.”

* The London Bee Company aims to promote healthy and sustainable bee hives to halt their decline across the UK.