Regent Street is a hive of activity for urban beekeepers
Regent Street is to begin producing its own honey, thanks to a hive containing more than 15,000 bees high above the shoppers.
A colony has been installed on several rooftops, and the Crown Estate, which owns Regent Street, says it is planning dozens more if the experiment is a success.
"Regent Street is pleased to offer the bees space - all we ask in return is some jars of quality Regent Street honey," said David Shaw, head of the Regent Street portfolio at The Crown Estate.
Staff have been tending the bees for several weeks, feeding them with a sugar-syrup solution to build up the strength of the workers. They plan to add a second hive soon.
A special "honey garden" has also been created on the rooftop, which has a mixture of lavender, origanum, nepeta, thyme, sedums, salvia uliginosa and verbena bonariensis which add flavour to the honey.
The move comes as hundreds of hives are being installed across London.
Beekeeper associations have reported record numbers of enquiries, and one firm, Omlet, has even begun selling a designer beehive aimed at the urban market. The Royal Lancaster Hotel near Hyde Park plans to sell honey produced on its roof to its guests.
