THE owners of creative agency Crush have bought and renovated a two-storey office building in North Laine, Brighton.

The renovations have allowed owners Carl and Helen Rush to transform the Victorian building in Vine Street, Brighton, where they previously rented the first floor.

As well as refurbishing their existing office, the couple have turned the ground floor into a new members’ workspace called The Vine Club.

This is aimed at the many entrepreneurs, innovators and creative businesses looking for a base in the city.

They have also added a top floor to the building, creating a New York-style apartment which will become a holiday let and will be offered to key speakers or guests attending the many events organised throughout the year by the couple.

The new creative hub ushers in a new era for the building which was once inhabited by a coffin making business that used the ground floor for the horses that came to pick up the coffins.

Mr Rush said: “We looked at purchasing the building about eight years ago but the timing wasn’t quite right.

“We’re really pleased that our dreams have finally become a reality.

“We’re already enjoying the new and improved space.”

The Vine Club was officially launched late last month.

A £500,000 package with HSBC funded the new offices.

Victoria Mutter, HSBC’s area director for business banking in Gatwick and East Sussex, said: “It’s great to see the building’s transformation into a modern, flexible working space and expect it will be a long-term home for Carl and Helen’s businesses, especially as it has plenty of room for growth.”

Crush is an independent agency made up of a core team of thinkers, graphic designers and illustrators connecting to a wider family of talented filmmakers, photographers, animators and coders.

Go to www.vine-club.co.uk for more details.