'Some people think I'm crazy': Meet the urban beekeeper creating a buzz on an island in Leeds city centre
Leeds Bradford Airport are also due to collaborate with the beekeeper to have a hive set up
Fearns Island is a narrow strip of land, in the middle of the River Aire at Leeds Dock. A grassy verge, surrounded by high rise apartments and offices, it’s a popular spot for city dwellers to sunbathe or have picnics on a sunny day. So, it may come as a surprise that the island is also home to 40,000 bees.
Their hives are among a growing number being installed in urban areas across Yorkshire and these ones in the heart of Leeds are cared for by Tom Szpitter.
Tom founded Band of Bees four years ago, after noticing a rise in workplaces keen to host hives but without the resources to manage them. Tom and his team advise businesses on location, install the hives and conduct weekly maintenance visits on rooftops, balconies and in courtyards.
Tom said: “You put bees in place and the next day they are flying. Unlike a lot of other environmental projects, [there’s] no infrastructure change.”
Urban beekeeping has become increasingly popular in cities including London, Paris and Athens. The bees can fly for three miles, foraging on a diverse range of plants in city gardens, tree-lined streets and even at the side of rail tracks. According to Tom, the insects also benefit themselves from the warmer climate and lack of pesticides.
It was an unusual Christmas present that got Tom into beekeeping, ten years ago. His girlfriend at the time signed him up to a course and he says he became hooked: “There’s something pretty special about the bees. They’re chaotic but perfectly organised at the same time.”
While concerns have been raised about overpopulation in some areas, Tom believes that when hives are managed correctly, cities like Leeds can reap enormous benefits from healthier plants and green spaces. He said: “Bees improve the whole green floor around us, pollinating a third of all the food we eat as well. It means healthier plants and a more abundant environment.”
For many employers, the attraction goes beyond sustainability and green credentials; the hives can also be good for company culture and staff wellbeing. Band of Bees carry extra suits for people who want to try their hand at beekeeping, which Tom says can be surprisingly relaxing.
He said: “It's quite chilled out, even though they can sting you. Some people think I'm a bit crazy, when I say, do you want to come beekeeping? Then they try it out, and they're like, ‘this is amazing’.”
There is also a sweeter benefit. Band of Bees will extract the honey from the hives and give it back to the companies, to share with their employees. The diversity of the plants they forage can lead to a unique taste that changes year on year.
Band of Bees’ client list is growing, with Allied London (Leeds Dock), Digital Beehive, waste management company Veolia and TransPennine Express all installing hives. This year they will start working with new clients such as Leeds Bradford Airport and Enfinium.
Tom hopes more will consider turning rooftops and overlooked corners of cities into thriving habitats. He has ambitions to expand into more UK cities like Manchester, Chester and Newcastle.
Tom said: “We want to work with more environmentally conscious businesses, helping them bring hives into their spaces, boost biodiversity, support pollination, and connect more people with the magic of bees and beekeeping.
“It's good for the environment, good for sustainability, and it's good for people connecting with nature.”