“The Flimby Garden” was designed with the employees of the British New Balance factory in mind, whose craftsmanship forms the foundation of the New Balance Made in UK range’s heritage. The garden is a place for rest, tranquillity and socialising during the working day. The project pays tribute to those responsible for shoe production, whilst also bringing together two brands that share a passion for craftsmanship and creativity inspired by the natural world.
The New Balance factory in Flimby has been the production site for the Made in UK range since 1991. It employs around 300 skilled workers who produce approximately 30,000 pairs of shoes every month. New Balance has been investing in manufacturing in the UK for over 40 years, and the ‘Made in UK’ range remains the most prestigious part of the brand’s offering today, valued worldwide for its quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The garden, situated right next to the factory in Flimby, was designed as a place of relaxation where staff can spend time surrounded by nature. Seating areas and communal spaces encourage relaxation, whilst carefully selected plants ensure that the landscape changes and flourishes with the passing of the seasons.
The design was inspired by the landscape of the Lake District, where the factory is situated. The garden features gently undulating flowerbeds, wildflowers, small water features and flowering cherry trees. Bleue Burnham’s distinctive design language is evident throughout the space, combining structured forms with more free-flowing, organic elements. One such element is the multicoloured birdhouses, designed specifically for the garden.
The project marks an important milestone in the career of Bleue Burnham’s founder, Bleue Wickham-Burnham, as it is the first professionally designed garden in his portfolio. Wickham-Burnham has been passionate about gardening for many years and personally developed the layout of the space and the planting scheme, channelling his long-standing fascination with plants and nature into a new creative endeavour.
“At New Balance, craftsmanship begins with people. The Flimby factory has been a workplace for skilled specialists for generations, which is why we wanted to create something of value specifically for them. The garden is a tribute to their contribution,
and at the same time a space designed with their wellbeing, relaxation and connection with the nature surrounding the factory in mind,” said Dan Holtby, Director of UK Manufacturing and Operations at New Balance.
“Being entrusted with the garden project at the New Balance Made in UK factory is both a privilege and a tremendous honour. The project allowed us to explore how our design language and philosophy could be translated into the field of landscape architecture. We wanted to create a space with a relaxed, airy feel, which would also encourage people to pause, meet others and find moments of joy during the working day. I am incredibly proud of what we have created together. I look forward to watching the garden develop and mature over the coming years, becoming an integral part of the New Balance team’s daily life in Flimby,” said Bleue Wickham-Burnham, founder of Bleue Burnham.
To mark the opening of the garden, New Balance and Bleue Burnham have also produced a documentary film chronicling the project’s development – from the initial concept right through to its completion. Additional footage focusing on the garden itself will also be released, featuring a guest appearance by the acclaimed gardener and television presenter Monty Don.
The garden is more than just a landscaping project. It reflects New Balance’s long-standing belief that exceptional craftsmanship begins with the people behind every product. As one of the few global footwear brands to maintain local production in both the UK and the US, New Balance continually invests in its factories, local communities and the skilled workers who shape the brand’s heritage. The garden in Flimby is a lasting symbol of this commitment and a celebration of the craftsmanship, tradition and sense of community that remain at the heart of the Made in UK range.
Opening on 30 July 2026, ‘The Flimby Garden’ will be exclusively available to employees of the New Balance Made in UK factory, providing them with a space dedicated to rest, relaxation and socialising.
source: press materials
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