Brindleyplace honey set to be a sweet success

Birmingham homeless charity to benefit from sales.

There’s a buzz around Brindleyplace! The popular estate is a hive of activity after announcing the launch of its first-ever branded honey to raise money for a local homeless charity.

Concerns over the declining numbers of bees in Britain has led to a growing demand for businesses to help bring more bees to urban areas and boost effective pollination in cities. In summer 2017, Brindleyplace installed rooftop hives at 3 Brindleyplace, providing a home to more than 80,000 honey bees.

The first batch of urban Brindleyplace Honey is now on sale at Brunswick Street-based florists, Ethos. The delicious honey has a minimum donation of £5 required per jar, with all proceeds going to Birmingham-based homeless charity, SIFA Fireside.

As well as installing the hives, a programme of engagement activities has also been delivered, including bee-keeping courses, designed to educate tenants at the estate on the importance of bees and their conservation.

Lydia Collins, who works for the landlord’s managing agent and oversees the project, said: “The installation of these hives was a fantastic way to demonstrate our support for the local environment, and help towards combating the decline in bee populations. Bees are intrinsic in supporting the food chain, with around one third of the foods we regularly eat reliant on pollination from bees.

“We have a limited number of jars for sale, and with the next batch not due until September, pick up a jar of our 100% local city centre honey quick before it goes!”