The Dragons' Den pitch!

From the Gt Bealings Climate Emergency Rapid Response Squad Facebook page:

Dragons Den pitch for Bee Cafe Planters
We are Gt. Bealings Climate Emergency Rapid Response Squad and on behalf of Bees, Eco-Warriors and the Public, we are asking Town Councils for £180-£300 (non-profit) for a 100% share in a Bee Cafe Planter.

Why do Bees Love them?

Bumble Bees need to eat and rest every 40 mins or so on their daily commute or they become exhausted and drop to the ground. A Bee Cafe Planter in the right location with pollen and nectar enables them to rest and feed safely.
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An urban wildlife corridor of private or public gardens with Bee Cafe Planters filling the gaps allows bees to re-populate previously no-go areas and link up with existing rural corridors.

​In addition to finding food and rest, bees also need to be able to migrate North to escape hotter temperatures due to climate change.

Why do Eco Warriors Love them?

In addition to tackling the biodiversity crisis by supporting bees, they also support other pollinators including butterflies and even the water sump can become a refuge for frogs and toads.

Materials used are carbon-storing wood and repurposed plastic waste. Use of Off-grid solar power and rainwater capture reduce dependence on mains utilities.

Why does the Public Love them?

Bee Cafe Planters can bring a big splash of welcome wildflower colour to concrete areas. The visible parts are made from natural wood and hessian as opposed to the typical competition which is meters of black plastic.

Why do Councils Love them?

Bee Cafe Planters are affordable to buy and to operate. The purchase price for a 72 plant planter varies from £180 to £300 depending on planting and watering options. A planting of native perennials can be used for re-wilding in the autumn.

Watering options include rainwater capture, a solar pump and "Dried Out!" email alerting - all of which all reduce the number of costly routine watering visits.

They have a design life of 10 years, proven to 4 years so far.

Work has just started to get a Suffolk County Council Street Furniture Licence. The modular Lego brick construction means that a Bee Cafe Planter can be customised to fit into awkward places.