New Balance opens restorative garden for factory workers in Cumbria

New Balance has unveiled the Flimby Garden, a restorative outdoor space for employees at its Cumbria factory in the UK. Designed by jewellery designer Bleue Wickham-Burnham, founder of Bleue Burnham, the garden features undulating flower beds, water pockets, cherry trees, seating areas, and multicoloured bird boxes. It draws inspiration from Piet Oudolf's New Perennial plantings, cottage gardens at Great Dixter and Sissinghurst, pre-Raphaelite floral renderings, and 17th-century topiary. The garden is filled with roses, peonies, anemones, foxgloves, and lilies, and has become a haven for local wildlife. Wickham-Burnham, an enthusiastic amateur gardener, was commissioned after previous collaborations with the brand. A documentary-style film chronicling the project features a special appearance by gardener Monty Don. The garden reflects New Balance's commitment to domestic manufacturing and employee well-being, aiming to reduce stress and boost creativity.