A beeline for business
“HOST a beehive and bring a new buzz to your business” is the message resonating with more firms from Buckley’s Bees, a hive management and education service helping save nature’s pollinators and especially native black honeybees.
Commercial customers, which now include Taylor Wimpey, organic farm brand Yeo Valley and Bentley Motors, can choose to welcome a hive, sourced from sustainable wood, on site. Alternatively they can sponsor one.
Either way, they stand to reap many benefits and their action cannot come too soon, as one third of the UK’s bee population has disappeared over the past decade, explains owner Emma Buckley.
“Bees are the key to a balanced ecosystem and we make engaging with them accessible. Clients all want to make a difference helping the environment and having a hive boosts sustainability credentials. Their passion is infectious.”
Costs start from £700 a year and sites just need to be a flat hard surface in a place protected from frost, damp and full sun.
“Our managed beekeeping scheme supports customers providing the hives, ensuring good levels of food for the pollinators,” says Buckley. “We also offer beekeeping courses. Employee engagement opportunities enable staff to get up close and learn about the bees, something that can help colleague welfare.
“Our honey is popular but it’s not our focus – that’s always on education and awareness.”
Buckley’s breeds its own queens and colonies. “This ensures good health, hygiene and survival. Stock is not diluted by imports, which can lead to more aggressive bees and upset the natural balance,” adds Buckley. With the aim of creating pockets of hives nationwide, Buckley’s works with a network of freelance beekeepers. Dad David, long-standing member of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association, has been the inspiration behind Buckley and was the founder of the business she joined a decade ago. “I always wanted to run my own business,” she says. “At last the environmental message is being taken to heart and interest is picking up.”
Buckley’s expects to grow 40 per cent over the next couple of years and expand its network both in the UK as well as Europe and New Zealand.
However with the average age of the UK’s beekeepers now 60, Buckley is also keener than ever to drive awareness, taking the skill of beekeeping to younger generations by working with schools and businesses, holding open days, and displaying at shows and festivals.
“We take an observation hive containing a live colony and this opens the door to talk about other pollinators and why they are so important,” Buckley explains.
“When people buy honey we urge them to use local sources, not blends, so the most goodness is preserved and local beekeepers are supported.” ●