When a blank canvas becomes a place for connection

During conversations with residents connected to the Purfleet Community Hub, they had a shared vision to turn a nearby neglected building on Centurion Way into somewhere the entire neighbourhood could use and enjoy.

Once the space was secured, thanks to Thurrock Council, the first step was to address the large exterior walls. To spark ideas and immerse themselves in what was possible, residents visited Southend City Jam – the UK’s largest street art festival – and another community building for inspiration. Based on the styles they liked, residents then voted for which artists they wanted to work with.

We enlisted the help of K&B Designs, a talented local duo known for their custom hand-painted murals and love of engaging the public in creating art. K&B Designs began the process by conducting a series of mural workshops with hub volunteers to generate themes and concepts – they explored the rich history of the area –– including the old gunpowder magazine and RSPB site – while also celebrating the people who live here and the role food plays in bringing communities together. K&B developed three potential designs informed by these ideas, and later refined them based on feedback from hub volunteers before asking the public to vote on their favourite design through the community hub, schools, and social media. Almost 70 people took part in the voting process.

Next, K&B Designs, working with hub volunteers and their families, set about beautifying this corner of the estate into a vibrant and captivating mural that will be a lasting tribute honouring Purfleet’s heritage and embodying its spirit of unity.

During the Purfleet-on-Thames Big Lunch 2024, members of the public were invited to contribute to painting the mural – this allowed more people to connect with the process and feel proud of what they’d created, and another 50 people took part on the day.

With its new facelift, attention turned to the interior of the building. Already operating as a café and pantry, the space was valued by residents, but volunteers felt its function could be improved and that it lacked character. One of around 120 pantries across the UK, it offered a place for people to meet, chat, share food, ease everyday pressures, and exchange ideas.

For Start Thurrock, the ambition was to build on this strong foundation – drawing on the energy of the mural workshops – where residents could come together to redesign the space, and introduce colour and community-led artwork. Alongside a more flexible layout, this would create a space capable of connection in more meaningful and creative ways, now and into the future.

Following a call-out for creatives, designer Laura Whiting was commissioned to work alongside residents to transform the interior into a multi-use space. One that meant the main functions of the cafe and pantry were enhanced as well as enabling more creative avenues to be explored. She spent time getting to know everyone involved and observing how the pantry operates day-to-day.

In February 2025, Laura hosted a ‘walk + talk’, collage-making workshops, and drop-in sessions to generate ideas. Then in May 2025, she held a ‘Crafts and Crusts’ workshop where staff and regular visitors came along for pizza and craft exercises to discuss the kind of creative activities the pantry might host in the future and vote on design concepts. Everyone got involved, sharing thoughts and pitching ideas around their vision for the venue.

Once the designs were agreed, the Aveley Men’s Shed, a project that brings men together through carpentry and joinery workshops, came on board to help bring the design to life. They helped build many of the wooden features including breakfast bar tops, cladding for a children’s reading room, and fold-down table storage that allows the café to seamlessly shift into a creative venue for future events such as workshops and performances.

Since its official opening, the space stands as a testament to the power of community action. It’s become a hub for food, friendship, and creative activity – a place where local voices have been heard, valued, and celebrated, and it now has a very bright future.