A blank canvas that let children’s imaginations run riot

Across Thurrock, empty retail units have become a familiar sight. Start Thurrock wanted to test a new way of activating these spaces and restoring vibrancy to the high street by providing creative opportunities to residents who are often hardest to reach.

To bring it to fruition, we partnered with Hunt & Darton –– an award-winning live art duo known for their specialist artistic experience, strong participatory framework, and logistical know-how. Using their successful Kids Business model, Hunt & Darton ran a series of structured workshops, inviting local children to run the show, transforming their wildest ideas into joyful reality. The young people were given the space and support to imagine, design, and ultimately take ownership of their own creative venture.

First off, we needed a retail unit for the pop-up business –– with support from the leaseholder (tbc) of a Lloyds building, Hunt & Darton were able to secure an unused former bank in Grover Walk, Corringham. Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions then generously donated the use of their nearby facilities, which became an essential base for hosting workshops and rehearsals just minutes from the retail space.

The experience began in the Dream Room where 42 children aged 6-12 were encouraged to be the creative entrepreneurs of the future. They were posed the question, “If you could build a shop the world has never seen, what would it be?”

Nothing was off the table and the business model let the children’s boundless imaginations run wild. Over four weeks, the young people generated 87 fantastical business ideas ranging from a shop that only accepts compliments instead of coins and a café where everyone was allowed to doodle absolutely everywhere. Everyone voted for their three favourite business ideas and then the young people got to work creating posters, rehearsing public pitches, and taking to the high street to gather 65 real-life votes from the community. The winner? ‘Wishlers’ – Just Wish It: a magical shop centred on making wishes come true.

With a winner in the bag, it was time to make it happen. They planned the full customer journey, and decided on a logo, menu, and badges. They then needed to transform the space –– they painted, built, and begged, bartered and borrowed furniture and stock in order to launch.

The business offered:

• A Wish Consultancy where young participants helped visitors identify their wishes
• A Wish Writing station to record them
• A theatrical Wish Activation ritual behind a golden curtain, complete with carnival sounds and actions
• A Wish Café, offering boba tea and Wish Waffles.

Every wish was theatrically delivered back to the customer with a “ping” and then wrapped for presentation. In keeping with the business model, the children decided one wish would be selected to come true using profits generated from the café. A local parent wished to be paraded in a chariot pulled by unicorns. This was realised in collaboration with artists, Lisa Mill and Katherine Kitz, creating a magical community spectacle that brought together families, residents, and professional performers.

Over two days, more than 100 visitors engaged with Wishlers, with 108 wishes theatrically activated.

The impact on the children was profound:

• Children’s confidence levels rose from 0% to 57.1%
• Over 85% reported they’d like to do more creative activities in the future
• 100% said they’d like to take part in more projects like Kids Business
• 42.9% reported it made them feel happier and more positive.

Hunt & Darton brought a unique blend of creative brilliance and practical delivery, and their approach gave children genuine power over the direction of their ideas: every thought was taken seriously, every suggestion explored, and the playfulness of young minds was supported with professional rigour.

The project showed that when a community trusts its youngest thinkers to be the decision makers and guides their creative spark, it creates a blueprint for how dreaming big can bring a place back to life.