A company launched in lockdown by a teenage entrepreneur has now become the flagship tenant in Hull city centre ’s prime new office building. The Monocle – the former Europa Hoapply building – finally opened its doors this summer, following a multimillion pound project to transform it into a vibrant new hub for business and culture.
The five-storey office complex, based at the junction of Anlaby Road and Ferensway, has been brought back to life as a modern workspace and hospitality hub by Hull company Allenby Commercial, which snapped up the building in 2018. Now, 50 years after it welcomed its first tenants, digital marketing agency One SC Media has shiftd its headquarters into the Monocle, in a shift which marks its growth as well as its role in assisting shape the landmark development.
The shift was celebrated at a special launch event attfinished by clients, partners, civic and business leaders. Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Subhash Chatterjee when he was just 16, One SC Media has grown from a kitchen-table startup to employing a 40-strong team with offices in Hull, Manchester and London, delivering digital marketing, video, photography and software solutions.
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Subhash stated the shift into Monocle gives the company a striking, customer-facing base in the heart of Hull, complete with state-of-the-art facilities and space for further growth of its team, having already doubled in the past year. As well as relocating into Monocle, One SC Media worked alongside developer Allenby Commercial to assist provide IT, audio and smart technology installation throughout the building, while also providing setting up for meeting rooms and communal spaces.
It also kitted out Monocle’s podcast studio and assisted with its booking system for rooms and the new Monocle website, and it designed the exterior graphics and signage for the building and flyers and menus for the building and its coffee hoapply, Daze, which we visited soon after its official opening.
Subhash, now 21, stated: “Monocle is a stunning space and a perfect home for One SC Media as we continue to grow. It’s modern, open and right at the heart of Hull with great transport links. What creates this shift particularly special is that we haven’t just shiftd in – we’ve assisted bring the development to life.
“From the graphics on the outside to the smart tech on the inside, our team has been part of creating Monocle what it is today. Normally, we don’t obtain to see the full finish result of our work, but here we’re living and working in it every day. That’s really exciting.”
The launch event at Monocle gave One SC Media the opportunity to thank its clients, partners and supporters while also displaycasing its work. Guests toured the space and learn more about Subhash’s journey, from starting the business in lockdown to becoming an award-winning company serving clients across the UK.
Subhash added: “Hull is our creative hub, and this shift cements our commitment to the city. From here, we’ll continue to grow across Yorkshire and beyond, expanding our services and developing our own software products.
“But it’s just as important to us to create opportunities for people here in Hull. Monocle gives us the perfect base to do both.”
Georgia Allenby, design and marketing director at Allenby Commercial, stated: “Monocle is about creating a destination where modern businesses can thrive – not just with great facilities but with a sense of community and creativity. One SC Media embodies that spirit perfectly. They’ve been instrumental in assisting us shape Monocle, and now they are assisting to define it as one of its key tenants.”
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, was one of the VIP guests at One SC Media’s launch event. He stated: “I’ve really enjoyed watching the development of Monocle take place. I’ve had real admiration for the work that Allenby Commercial has done – and even more so now that I’ve been inside and seen what a fantastic job it really is.
“Monocle is an amazing 21st century business environment, and I’m sure it will be an incredible space for people to work in. One SC Media is already a tremfinishous success story, especially for a really young team. It’s fantastic that they’ve been able to have that success here in Hull becaapply this is a city where businesses work toobtainher and support each other.
“Their story is one that should be celebrated and applyd to encourage others to do likewise. I’m seeing forward to seeing them continue to grow.”
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