Santander Work Café Blossoms into English Country Garden for Battle of Flowers

The entrance to the Santander Work Café has been transformed into a vibrant English country garden, thanks to a creative collaboration between local design agency The Idea Works and floral artist Clara Barthorp of Wilde Thyme.

The striking floral archway, unveiled as part of this year’s St Helier Town Takeover for the Battle of Flowers, is delighting visitors and adding a splash of colour to the high street. Inspired by the Parish of St Peter’s “English country garden” float, the design celebrates Jersey’s heritage while creating a welcoming, contemporary focal point for the Work Café.

“This project was all about bringing a sense of timeless beauty and community spirit to the heart of St Helier,” said Martyn Aubert, Creative Director at The Idea Works. “Our concept was designed to complement the unique character of the Santander Work Café while celebrating the festival’s floral tradition. Seeing it brought to life with Clara’s artistry has been incredibly rewarding.”

Clara Barthorp, founder of Wilde Thyme, added: “It was a real pleasure to work with Richard and Martyn from The Idea Works. They are a forward-thinking, creative agency that truly values collaboration and local craftsmanship. Together with Santander International, we’ve created something that feels both fresh and rooted in Jersey’s character – it’s wonderful to see people enjoying it.”

The design process included detailed mock-ups to ensure the archway’s scale, palette, and structure fit seamlessly with the Work Café’s façade. Sustainability was a key focus, with locally sourced, seasonal blooms and reusable mounting fixtures reducing the project’s environmental impact. Installation was carefully planned in partnership with Santander International to minimise disruption, taking place over a Sunday so the café could welcome customers as usual on Monday morning.

Since its unveiling, the archway has sparked increased foot traffic and social media buzz, with passersby stopping to admire and photograph the display. Susan Clark, Chief Marketing Officer at Santander International, commented: “This collaboration has brought our Work Café to life for the festival and underlines the power of creativity in engaging the local community. The response from customers and visitors has been fantastic – it’s been a pleasure working with The Idea Works and Wilde Thyme to deliver such a beautiful installation.”

The display is part of the Town Takeover competition, where visitors can vote for their favourite high street floral creation. To support the Santander Work Café’s floral archway, visit sthelier.je/event/town-takeover.

For The Idea Works, the project reinforces their reputation for blending design innovation with cultural awareness. “It’s more than a display; it’s about creating a sense of place and shared experience,” added Martyn Aubert.