Preston’s bee population to rise thanks to UCLan rooftop hives

UCLan staff working the beehives currently kept at the Westleigh Conference Centre

There’s a sweetener planned for Preston’s new university building dominating the city skyline.

The University of Central Lancashire is to install three bee hives on the rooftop of the new student centre on the Adelphi roundabout.

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With 50,000 bees in each hive the bees were introduced two years ago at the Westleigh Conference Centre where a total of 250,000 bees are kept.

UCLan’s head groundsmen said: They will be entirely safe for students and the public in three polystyrene hives on the roof where we will create a dedicated area for them.

“All the team have got involved and thoroughly enjoyed it. We’ve had training in establishing a hive, developing the colonies and even honey production. We made a small amount of honey for the first time last year and we hope to have UCLan honey at the Student Centre at some stage.

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“Developing the hives has added a new dimension of work and a sense of health and wellbeing for us all.”

This is what the new public square will look like on what was the Adelphi roundabout

Beekeeping training is provided by the Tree Bee Society and a number of UCLan staff now have certificates at beginner and intermediate levels.

More than 300 new trees are being planted as part of the UCLan masterplan – a £200million investment in the Preston campus including the complete remodelling of the Adelphi roundabout to become the Adelphi Square.