THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Friday, 24th October, 2025

Morning! Bit breezy out there today, innit? Storm Benjamin’s arrived with yellow weather warnings across Yorkshire. Batten down the hatches – here’s what’s happening.

⚠️ WEATHER ALERT

🌧️ Storm Benjamin hits York with 70mph winds - Yellow weather warnings were in place across York yesterday until 6pm, bringing winds up to 70mph and heavy rainfall. Markets and LNER services ran as normal despite the chaos. - Storm Benjamin hits York – YO1 Radio

🏆 BUSINESS

🎉 York’s best businesses crowned at spectacular awards night - The YorkMix Choice Awards 2025 saw tens of thousands of public votes crown winners across 18 categories at The Milner York Hotel. No judges – just customers choosing their favourites. - York’s best businesses named – YorkMix

🍷 New wine bar Wet opens on Micklegate - Ella Williams and James Wall have opened Wet at 110 Micklegate, offering wines, cocktails, and small plates in the former Notes Wine Bar space. - New Wet bar opens – Gazette Herald

🎃 CULTURE

👻 York builds reputation as city of wizards, ghosts and the bizarre - From ghost tours to shops selling drinkable potions, York is cashing in on its reputation as one of Europe’s most haunted cities. The Potions Cauldron has gone from £250k turnover in 2018 to an expected £6m in 2025-26. - York’s magical reputation – Great British Life

💿 York Record Fair returns to racecourse - Around 150,000 vinyl records from 50+ sellers will be available at York Racecourse on Saturday, November 1. Admission £2, free for under 16s. - Record fair returns – Gazette Herald

“Since the first event in 2022, York Record Fair has become a regular bi-annual destination for vinyl aficionados. The April fair earlier this year included collectors from Japan, USA and Sweden.

🎵 Chapter House Choir celebrates 60 years - Chapter House Choir marks six decades with a special concert featuring their Youth Choir and Jervaulx Singers, including works commissioned for their fiftieth anniversary. - 60 years in song – York Concerts

🎭 York Civic Trust unveils new logo ahead of 80th anniversary - York Civic Trust has refreshed its identity with a new logo inspired by the York assay mark of 1423. Next year launches “Our York,” including a major blue plaques refresh. - New logo unveiled – Gazette Herald

🚗 TRANSPORT & PARKING

🅿️ Christmas parking charges confirmed - York’s Christmas Market parking rates kick in from November 13, with Sunday-Thursday charges rising to match weekend rates. Backed by 62% of residents, changes revert December 22. - Christmas parking – City of York Council

🚧 New traffic restrictions for Osbaldwick Outgang - Lane in Osbaldwick faces closures for maintenance works between October and November, with diversions in place for worker safety. - Road closures – Yorkshire Post

🚔 CRIME & SAFETY

📹 Police appeal after Clifton thefts - North Yorkshire Police seek two men after thefts from a mini-market, vehicles and gardens in Clifton on September 19. One suspect wore a distinctive black and khaki patterned jacket. - CCTV appeal – Gazette Herald

💻 Laptop thieves target university library - Three laptops worth £700 each stolen from JB Morrell Library after thieves used stolen student ID cards to access library lockers. Police released CCTV images. - Library theft – York Vision

💰 FUNDING

🎓 University secures £500k Mayoral funding - Four University of York research projects received almost half a million pounds from the Combined Authority, including Walmgate Re-framed using art to celebrate community identity. - Mayoral funding – University of York

“These initiatives are built on core areas of our research expertise – from the creative industries to the bioeconomy – and they directly align with our mission to be a University for public good. By translating our expertise into new jobs, vital skills and cultural enrichment, we are working alongside our partners to help build a thriving and resilient future for everyone who lives and works in our region.”

🎵 Music project helps mental health recovery - Emerging Voices offers one-to-one music tuition to adults with mental health challenges at York St John University. NHS staff report fewer hospital admissions among participants. - Music project – York CVS

⚽ SPORT

🏉 York Knights sign Jesse Dee to new deal - ‘Unsung hero’ Jesse Dee extends his contract with Super League-bound York Knights after helping win the 1895 Cup and League Leaders’ Shield in 2025. - Jesse Dee contract – Yahoo Sports

💔 REMEMBERING

🎹 Soft Cell’s Dave Ball dies aged 66 - Dave Ball, who formed Soft Cell with Marc Almond at Leeds Polytechnic, died peacefully at home weeks after headlining Rewind Festival. Final album Danceteria due spring 2026. - Dave Ball dies – RTE

Right then, that’s your lot for today. Keep warm, stay safe, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

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