The Slough Trading Estate has welcomed some unusual new customers in its work to improve the biodiversity of the site.

The estate’s new green space, in Leigh Road Park, will feature a wooden hive housing Buckfast bees chosen for their “calm temperament” and which have the potential to create 20-60 lbs of honey over a year.

A designated beekeeper will tend to the bees every week to ensure the hive and surrounding habitat is conducive to making the bees “content and productive”.

The pocket park has been landscaped with native wildflowers from which the bees will be able to feed and pollinate.

This is the first time the insects have been kept at one of SERGO’S UK parks – but they are common on the firm’s portfolio on the continent, where more than 150 hives can be found nestled in landscaped areas at estates in Poland, Italy and France.

Paul Lewis, SEGRO’s Regional Director for the Slough Trading Estate, said: “The commitment to biodiversity forms part of the company’s sustainability strategy which is delivering the highest levels of sustainable performance through a range of measures to reduce environmental impact in key areas such as energy and water consumption, waste reuse and recycling, and renewable energy.

“SEGRO’s customers on the estate come in all shapes and sizes and are using their spaces to create extraordinary things, but this is the first time the humble bee will taking residence.

“We take our commitment to customer care very seriously and won’t be making an exception for our latest arrivals.

“We hope the bees will prove to be a popular addition this spring, further enhancing the biodiversity of the site. Watch this space for our first home-made Slough Trading Estate honey.”