York’s five-star hotel The Grand, York, has been a hive of activity since taking the decision earlier this year to house thousands of bees on its spacious, flat rooftop. The hives house three colonies which have been tended by beekeeper Paul Appleton, who manages apiaries across the York area.
So far, Appleton has harvested around 18 kilos of medium gold-coloured honey, “which is quite remarkable,” he said, “as very often you don’t get much honey at all the first year. There are several factors which can go against you, such as the weather and the variety and quantity of plants from which the bees can collect nectar, and, of course, the rooftop of The Grand is very high up indeed. But we’ve certainly got off to a marvellous start.”
The bees have now also paid for their keep by producing their first yield of golden honey.
That’s not all that York’s five-star hotel The Grand, York is doing sustainably, earlier this year they informed suppliers to eliminate single use plastic, or they will shop elsewhere.