Choosing where to live and the process of moving are some of the most difficult and important decisions we make in our lives. This wasn’t a decision I took lightly but as the UK’s first Director of Innovation and Magic, I chose Hull as my new home. The journey so far as been unbelievable. Both in good and terrible ways that you won’t believe. Read on to find out more about Hull and East Riding’s new dazzling magician.
Why Hull and East Riding For it’s New Dazzling Magician?
During my upbringing and young adulthood in Lincolnshire, people always told me to avoid Hull. People always referred to Hull as Hell or Hole. How wrong they were. Hull – particularly since it was awarded City of Culture in 2017 is becoming a hidden gem and hot spot for talent.
Hull was home to the renowned poet, Philip Larkin for a large portion of his life and career. Much like Philip Larkin, “I never thought about Hull until I was here”. It can be difficult to appreciate what we haven’t experienced. Beyond Larkin, Hull is also known as a historic and important port city. The impressive Humber Bridge and also world renowned chip spice! Joking aside, there is a long list of reasons that make Hull a special city tucked away in East Riding of Yorkshire.
Welcome To The Jungle – Hull and East Riding
I moved in to a nice looking property at a reasonable price. Upon collecting the keys I was told that everything was in good working order. Oh how I the caretaker managed to say that with a straight face I will never know.
For the first month the toilet did not work. In addition to that, there were no washing facilities and a myriad of other issues with the property.
It took the landlord and entire month to repair the toilet. Fortunately, I had somewhere to stay in the mean time. I couldn’t stay in my new home for more than a few hours at a time because eventually nature would call. Once the bathroom was FINALLY fixed and functional, I returned home after an evening entertaining at Lincolnshire Marketing Awards, only to be woken up at 2am to an arson attack right outside my new home! Though it wasn’t my car that was set on fire, the fire did spread. That fire ended up making my car a total write off.
What rotten luck. After moving to Hull I can’t live in the home I paid for and then I lost my car to an arson attack. It couldn’t get worse, could it? Unfortunately, yes, it bloody well could and did!
With the stress of dealing with the police for the arson attack, being one-two’d between the insurer and salvage agent, I began struggling to work. Not just for that. Also because the same month I was to be married. I now fully appreciate the stress my clients planning their wedding are under. Just weeks before my wedding day, our priest defected from the Church. Alexa, add a new priest to the shopping list.
My wedding day arrives. A happy day indeed, despite all of the surrounding problems. Within 48 hours of my wedding day; a day I did my absolute best to protect and keep private, it went viral on TikTok. A relative I estranged myself from years ago thought it’d be a brilliant idea to dox my wedding. He used my special celebration as a pawn to get strangers to follow him. One hundred thousand views. Two hundred and fifty thousand views. Half a million views. One million views. Two million views and an enormous amount of harassment later, I had another stress added to the list. Hey Siri, add a massage to the shopping list.
A second police incident report in 2 months. Surely things can’t get worse? Right? Wrong. The property I’d now been living in for 2 months finally had repairs scheduled. Long story short, the property wasn’t fit for to live in. Walls and ceilings were falling apart. Black mould discovered everywhere.
There is more I could share but let me be very clear in that not even Hollywood movies have this many plot twists. This was such a ridiculous and unfounded series of unfortunate events. I’m now effectively homeless, careless, traumatised and trying to establish my business in a brand new city.
Turning Point – How Hull and East Riding Saved It’s new Dazzling Magician
There are many people I could thank. I’ve already extended my gratitude privately, so I’ll concentrate on the important ones here.
Maddie at Growth Community. My very first business meeting in Hull was with Maddie. She was welcoming, knowledgeable about Hull area and integral to the next thank you.
At a Growth Community networking meeting, I met a local business person. We’ll call him John. At the end of the networking event John waited patiently for the queue of people asking for my business card to die down. As he approached he said, “I don’t want a card. I’d like to help.”. You see, John heard my story of losing my car to an arson attack and offered to lend me a car temporarily until I found one of my own. Unconditionally. The actions of a guardian angel looking over my shoulder! A piece of hope delivered by Hull’s business community!
C4DI. Without a car, or a home, it’s been a real struggle to work and get my business off the ground in Hull. I was introduced to the team at C4DI through mutual connections on LinkedIn. They’ve been very kind and supportive.
Another John, who is as Hull as anyone, has been a great support. He volunteered to be a guarantor on new home applications. Amongst a long list of other supportive offers.
I could go on but the theme here is that, in my series of unfortunate events Hull has provided some of the most selfless, generous and kind people I’ve met anywhere I’ve ever lived.
Perhaps, all those stories I’d heard about Hull were wrong? Because how could people be so thoughtful and supportive to my small business Scott Perry Magic arriving to Hull and East Riding? That’s rare.
The Race Is On For Hull and East Riding’s New Dazzling Magician
As of writing this on Monday 10th November myself and my now wife are still effectively homeless but hopeful to find a new home in Hull before Christmas. I think I have now found a new car to purchase. I’m starting to form good connections with well rounded business people in Hull.
Forgive me for the language but despite all the deplorable shit I’ve suffered since moving to Hull in August 2025, things are finally looking up. That’s thanks to the people of Hull. Also thanks to the business people of Hull and thanks to my new family in Hull.
I’m now beginning to look forward to sharing magic within Hull and the wider East Riding area. As well as my regular clients in the rest of the UK. As the only magician in the area to have provided entertainment services to HM King Charles III, Hollywood celebrities and even gaining the approval of local celebrity Peter Levy – will you be hiring Hull and East Riding’s new dazzling magician?
Weddings. Corporate events. Private parties. Wakes (yes, I’ve really been hired for them). Divorce parities (eagerly waiting my first booking). And everything in-between. Except children’s parties. Don’t contact me for that.
On this website you’ll see a “book Scott” button. It’s in the top left. Fill that in and I’ll be reading your enquiry soon! It’s as simple as that.
November 12th, 2025