Festival Place in Basingstoke will run a free interactive treasure hunt called Keys to Kindness on May 28 and May 30, 2026, between 11am and 4pm in the shopping centre’s malls. The event invites shoppers and families to search participating stores, restaurants, cafes and leisure venues for vintage-style keys and bring any found key to the concierge desk in Porchester Square to try and unlock a prize and a charitable donation.
Participants are asked to check at tills and ask staff for a key for kindness; found keys must be taken to the concierge desk in Porchester Square, where players log in and attempt to unlock a door. A successful unlock will trigger a £5 donation to local charity Spotlight UK, and every person taking part will receive a treat or discount regardless of whether their key works. Rules limit play to one try per person while stocks last, and the centre asks participants to consider any food allergies before accepting edible rewards.
The activity forms part of Festival Place’s community programme with Spotlight UK named as the centre’s charity of the year; Spotlight UK supports children, young people and families affected by terminal illness, life-limiting conditions, loss, separation and domestic abuse. The two dates in late May give shoppers flexibility to take part, and the free event is aimed at combining retail visits with a simple charitable action for local families and visitors.
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