You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
a mate needs one.
I've spotted:
Vitus Mach 3
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-mach-3-urban-bike-metrea-2018/rp-prod159757
With BC discount this is £800
Whyte Shoreditch £700
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/144209/products/whyte-shoreditch-hybrid-bike-2018-orange-black.aspx
[img] http://chainreactioncycles.scene7.com/is/image/ChainReactionCycles/prod159757_IMGSET?wid=500&hei=505 [/img]
[img] 
[/img]
The Vitus gearing is not good for modest riders who want to use the bike in hilly areas, the 2x Metrea has 32/46T chainrings is much better for such requirements. I could not use 35.4 Gear Inches to climb my local "wall" Dell Road, on a good day I need 32 but often it's 28 on my ~9Kg road bike.
Voodoo Marasa for £320 and On One Ringmaster for £15 for 1x9?
Voodoo Agwe for £400 for 1x10 with 11-42 cassette?
Boardman Hybrid Pro for a very light ~9.5Kg 1x11 for £825 at Cycle Republic using FEB75 code?
Slightly above budget but the Forme Repton 1 looks okay, if such things are your bag.
https://formebikes.co.uk/repton-1-city-bike.html
Ridgeback Flight range has 1x options above and below that price.
cheers