The York Brief ⏰Friday, 12 December 2025

✨Good morning, York .

The river’s still restless and flood alerts are still very real, but today’s headlines aren’t all about rising water. MPs have pushed for a major NHS inquiry, billion-pound plans have landed for York Central, city centre spending has taken a hit, and enforcement action at a Shambles café points to wider concerns about our tourist hotspots. There’s plenty to unpack - let’s get into it.

WEATHER UPDATE:

York faces a mild but unsettled Friday with temperatures reaching 11-12°C during the day before dropping to 3-8°C overnight. Drizzle and low cloud cover will persist throughout much of the day, with a 70% chance of light rain bringing approximately 1.4mm of precipitation. Winds will be moderate at 11-21 mph with gusts up to 23 mph, making it feel cooler than the actual temperature - closer to 5-9°C with the wind chill factor. Humidity will be high at around 89%, contributing to the damp, grey conditions typical of mid-December in York.
MET Office

📰 NEWS

🏥 York MPs Welcome Public Inquiry into TEWV NHS Trust - York MPs Rachael Maskell and Luke Charters have welcomed Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s announcement of a statutory public inquiry into Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. The inquiry was announced on Wednesday (December 11) after years of campaigning by families and MPs. TEWV provides mental health services across York and North Yorkshire, and the investigation will examine concerns about patient safety and care quality. The announcement follows sustained pressure from York’s parliamentary representatives and families affected by the trust’s services. Read more at Yorkshire Post | York Press.

🌊 Storm Bram: River Levels Peak But Remain High - River levels from Storm Bram peaked on Thursday but remain high across York, with five flood warnings and eight flood alerts still in place. The Foss Barrier remains operational as the city manages ongoing flood risks. Rowntree Park is closed due to flooding, though the Christmas Market remains open. Residents are advised to stay vigilant as weather conditions continue to affect the region. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🏗️ York Central: £2bn Development Plans Submitted - Plans for the £2 billion York Central development have been formally submitted, marking a major milestone for the city’s largest regeneration project. The ambitious scheme includes a 213-bed hotel, 999 homes, an Innovation Hub, Coal Drops Square public space, and a new western entrance to York station featuring a 300-space cycle hub. The development aims to transform the brownfield site between the station and the National Railway Museum. A council decision is expected in spring. Read more at The Times | York Press.

🤒 York Hospital Treating 28 Flu Patients Daily - York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is treating significant numbers of flu patients, with an average of 28 admissions per day compared to 22 last year. The NHS has warned of an “unprecedented wave of super flu” with national hospitalizations up 55% to 2,660 per day. Health officials are urging eligible residents to get their flu vaccinations as the virus spreads more rapidly than in previous years. Read more at York Press.

🚢 Boat Sinks in River Foss - Emergency crews were called after a boat sank in the River Foss in York. The incident occurred amid the high water levels caused by Storm Bram’s heavy rainfall. Details of the vessel and circumstances surrounding the sinking are still being investigated by authorities. No injuries have been reported. Read more at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service | York Mix.

🏛️ Council Funding Children’s Poverty Truth Commission - York Council is providing funding to support the establishment of a Children’s Poverty Truth Commission in the city. The initiative aims to give children and families living in poverty a platform to share their experiences and influence policy decisions. The commission will work to ensure the voices of those affected by child poverty are heard by decision-makers and incorporated into solutions. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🗳️ Conservatives Select Emma Dolben for Heworth By-Election - The Conservative Party has selected Emma Dolben as their candidate for the upcoming Heworth ward by-election on Thursday, January 15, 2025. Dolben will contest the seat against Labour’s Anna Perrett and other candidates. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour Councillor Ben Burton, who left York for work. With Labour holding a slim one-seat majority on the council, the result could significantly impact the political balance. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

📬 Royal Mail Post Box Changes Spark Christmas Concerns - York residents are expressing concerns about Royal Mail’s rollout of wrapped post boxes across the city, with traditional posting slots being covered and replaced with solar panels on top. Local post offices report they weren’t notified until the black wrapping arrived, and staff worry about lost business during the busy Christmas period. Read more at York Press.

👶 Rachael Maskell MP Calls for Action on Baby Poverty - York Central MP Rachael Maskell raised the critical issue of pregnancy and baby poverty during Prime Minister’s Questions on December 10. While welcoming the government’s Child Poverty Strategy aimed at lifting 550,000 children out of poverty, Maskell emphasized the need for greater focus on the first 1,001 days of life. She submitted an evidence-based report on child poverty in York to the Commission, backed by academics at York University, agencies, and charities. York is set to receive £1.8 million over three years for Best Start Funding as part of the strategy. Read more at York Press.

💷 City Centre Spending Down £8m as Parking Charges Bite - York BID (Business Improvement District) reports that spending by residents in city centre businesses has fallen by approximately £8 million so far this year compared to 2024, a 5.7% decline. BID Executive Director Andrew Lowson said businesses have lost regular customers who cite parking charge increases as the reason for shopping elsewhere. The hikes, introduced earlier this year, saw charges rise to £4.85-an-hour (£5.30 on Fridays, Saturdays and during events) within the inner ring road. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

⚖️ CRIME

🔨 Daniel Bell Guilty of Robbing Elderly Woman - Daniel Bell has been found guilty of robbing an elderly woman in York. The incident involved the targeting of a vulnerable victim, and Bell was convicted following a trial at York Crown Court. Sentencing is expected to follow, with the court considering the serious nature of the offense against an elderly person. Read more at York Press.

🚨 Immigration Officers Raid Shambles Korner Café - Immigration enforcement officers, accompanied by police, raided Shambles Korner café on Newgate on Wednesday afternoon. About ten officers entered the café around 4pm, with witnesses reporting one worker attempted to flee down Patrick Pool as the enforcement team arrived. A Bangladeshi male was arrested on suspicion of working in breach of visa conditions. The café owners were served with a Civil Penalty Referral Notice and could face fines of up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach, or up to £60,000 for repeat offending. Read more at YorkMix.

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

💍 Medieval Ring of Three Kings on Display - The Ring of Three Kings, a remarkable medieval artifact, is now on display at Yorkshire Museum. The ring features intricate craftsmanship from the medieval period and offers visitors a glimpse into York’s rich historical heritage. The exhibition showcases the artistry and cultural significance of medieval jewelry. Read more at York Museum Trust.

🎁 Adopt a Christmas Treasure at Yorkshire Museum - Yorkshire Museum has added five new objects to its popular “Adopt an Object” scheme just in time for Christmas. The festive additions include the White Boar of York badge (a symbol of support for Richard III in 15th-century Yorkshire), two special rings (the Fulford Ring and Escrick Ring), the Middleham Jewel, and the recently acquired Ring of the Three Kings. The medieval Ring of the Three Kings, discovered at Sessay, North Yorkshire, features an inscription naming the Three Magi and was believed to protect wearers against epilepsy and fevers. The adoption scheme provides annual sponsorship opportunities for Yorkshire Museum collections, with all proceeds reinvested into caring for the museum’s buildings, gardens, and artifacts. Adopters receive a personalized certificate. Read more at YorkMix.

🎓 EDUCATION

🤖 Mount School Hosts AI Literacy Summit - The Mount School on Dalton Terrace hosted an important AI literacy talk, bringing together educators and students to discuss artificial intelligence and its implications for education. The event focused on preparing young people for a future where AI will play an increasingly significant role in society and the workplace. The summit emphasized the importance of understanding both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI technology. Read more at Gazette & Herald | Mount School York.

💼 BUSINESS

🧼 Yorkshire Soap Company Plans Monk Bar Retail Concept - York businessmen Marcus Doyle and Warren Booth, owners of the Yorkshire Soap Company and The Imaginarium, have submitted a full planning application to convert the historic Monk Bar building from a museum to retail use. The company, which operates ten stores across Yorkshire and employs over 80 staff, plans to turn the former home of the Richard III Experience into a shop. The building will remain open to everyone, whether they shop or explore the historic interior. The proposal does not alter the Grade I* listed building’s fabric – all fixtures will be free-standing. Read more at YO1 Radio | Gazette & Herald.

🍷 Jorvine Wine Merchants Bring South Bank a Second Outlet - York wine entrepreneurs Kris Cattaneo and Jess Hall have opened their second Jorvine location at 119 Nunnery Lane, South Bank, following the success of their Fulford shop opened in 2021. The new outlet features more than 600 wines ranging from classic Old World French styles to organic ranges from Argentina and the New World. The shop offers wine on tap via a sustainable 20-litre keg system, a cosy “wine jail” seating 6-7 customers, and an intimate tasting room for guests to enjoy wine by the glass alongside cheese, charcuterie, and small plates. All staff are WSET-trained to provide expert guidance. Read more at York Press.

⚽ SPORT

🏉 York Valkyrie Tie Down Tamzin Renouf on Two-Year Deal - York Valkyrie have secured the future of star player Tamzin Renouf with a new two-year contract extension. The centre-turned half-back will embark on her sixth season with York in 2026, having initially joined from Castleford Tigers in 2021. Renouf, who was on the scoresheet in both the 2023 and 2024 Grand Final wins, earned a recall to the England squad in 2023 for the first time since 2019. Her versatility has proved an asset, switching from centres to half-back where she played a key role in York’s back-to-back championship victories. Read more at York RLFC | York Press.

🏉 York Knights’ Sam Cook Makes Newcastle Thunder Switch - York Knights overseas players Sam Cook and Bailey Antrobus will join Newcastle Thunder for the 2026 season after failing to agree new terms with York. The move is part of the partnership between York Knights, Newcastle Thunder, and NRL side Penrith Panthers. Cook, a former NRL player who represented the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights, joined York in 2024 and has made significant contributions. The 30-year-old hooker brings experience from his time in Australia and France. Read more at York Press | Serious About Rugby.

🏀 Jorvik Warriors Beat Knottingley Cougars - Jorvik Warriors Men’s first-team returned to winning ways with a comfortable 12-point victory over Knottingley Cougars last Friday. The basketball team, which had lost to the Cougars in a pre-season friendly, took control early with leading scorer Jake Butler hitting two long-range shots to establish a 6-point lead. Liam Taylor’s hot hand helped Warriors pull away in the first quarter. Despite a strong second-quarter fightback from Knottingley, Jorvik maintained composure and sealed the win with an 8-2 run in the final quarter. Read more at York Press.

That’s your York roundup for today - from flood risks and political action to regeneration, retail pressures and community voices. If you spot something worth covering or have a local story to share, hit reply. Stay safe around the water, and I’ll see you in the next edition.

The York Brief is compiled from trusted local sources including York Press, Gazette & Herald, YorkMix, and other verified outlets.