THE YORK BRIEF ⏰Friday, December 5, 2025

🌟 Good morning, York!

Social care’s getting scrutinized, a new pub’s popped up where Bettys once was, and our uni scientists might’ve cracked something massive about bladder cancer. From council chambers to crime scenes, by-elections to business wins – it’s all kicking off today. Grab that brew, you’re going to need it!

🌤️ TODAY’S WEATHER

Right then, wrap up warm! Expecting highs of 7-8°C and lows around 2-3°C today. There’s a 90% chance of rain (about 3-6mm) with winds gusting between 21-42 mph. Proper December weather this – brollies essential! (Met Office / Meteored)

🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT

📋 York Council adult social care ‘requires improvement’ – CQC - The Care Quality Commission has rated York Council’s adult social care delivery as ‘requires improvement’ following its first-ever assessment. The CQC found significant shortfalls including long waiting times for assessments and issues with safeguarding processes, though inspectors praised the council’s “dedicated, kind and considerate workforce” and strong leadership. Council leaders say they’re already implementing improvements including reducing waiting lists and developing better support models for people with learning disabilities and autism. (City of York Council / YorkMix)

⚖️ Labour and Lib Dems clash over Heworth by-election - Labour’s one-seat council majority hangs in the balance as a Heworth by-election looms in mid-January. Councillor Ben Burton is standing down due to leaving York for work, triggering a vote that could end Labour’s control if they lose. Lib Dem leader Cllr Nigel Ayre reckons this is Heworth’s chance to “end Labour’s failing majority,” while Labour leader Cllr Claire Douglas says they’ll campaign on their record of delivery. Labour currently holds 24 seats to the Lib Dems’ 19 on the 47-seat council. (Gazette & Herald)

📊 York’s £40m growth plan gets government approval - York and North Yorkshire’s 10-year Local Growth Plan has received formal government approval, aiming to transform the region into a “rural trailblazer” driving UK growth. Mayor David Skaith calls it a “total gamechanger” with plans to increase productivity, create higher-quality jobs, and work towards becoming England’s first carbon-negative region by 2040. (York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority)

🏰 Castle Car Park decision set for next week - Councillors will decide the fate of Castle Car Park on December 11th, with plans to transform the 298-space car park into new gardens, play areas, and a circular path around Clifford’s Tower. The £9.934 million scheme includes a memorial space for the 1190 massacre of Jews, though it faces a funding shortfall of up to £1.5 million. The council reckons closing the car park will cost £500k in lost income, but they’re banking on drivers using other sites like the upgraded Coppergate car park. (YorkMix / Gazette & Herald)

🚗 Car park fines U-turn after petition pressure - Over 800 people signed Cllr Stephen Fenton’s petition about fines at Moorcroft Road car park, and it’s worked – the landowner’s had a rethink. Shoppers can now park for one hour free even if they’re also visiting the GP surgery, and drivers who stay in their cars while passengers shop won’t get fined. The parking company was hitting locals with £60 fines left, right, and centre, including blue badge holders who stopped for six minutes. (YorkMix)

🚨 CRIME & SAFETY

🚔 Four arrested in county lines drug raid - Police arrested four suspected county lines drug dealers at a property in Tuke Avenue on Wednesday evening. Officers found suspected cocaine, drug dealing paraphernalia, and cash after attending for an unrelated enquiry. Those arrested include a 49-year-old man from York, a 38-year-old man from York, a 22-year-old from Selby, and a 23-year-old from Leeds – all remain in custody. (Gazette & Herald)

🔫 Armed police at Christmas markets for reassurance - Don’t be alarmed if you spot armed officers around York Christmas markets and York Designer Outlet over the coming weeks – it’s all routine. North Yorkshire Police deploy firearms officers every year during the festive period to deter criminal activity including terrorism. Chief Inspector Mark Procter says the officers will be “friendly and approachable” and happy to chat while keeping everyone safe. (YorkMix)

🎓 EDUCATION

📚 Seven York schools pilot poverty-proofing programme - Seven York schools are launching a pilot scheme to tackle poverty barriers facing pupils from low-income families. The Poverty Proofing© the School Day programme, managed by Huntington Research School, will look at everything from uniform costs to homework resources and after-school club affordability. Schools involved include All Saints, Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary, Fulford, Joseph Rowntree, Poppleton Road Primary, Yearsley Grove Primary, and York High. Results will help other city schools consider similar changes. (City of York Council)

📐 Bootham teacher launches national maths project - Lucy Huelin, a former Bootham School Latin and Classics teacher, has joined forces with Times Tables Rock Stars to launch Rockin’ Roots – a digital resource teaching pupils the Latin and Greek origins of 19 key maths terms. The project builds on Huelin’s Vocabulous platform, which now has over 12,000 students and 700 teachers using it across 75 schools after receiving SHINE support. Who knew “calculation” comes from the little stones Romans used for counting? (Gazette & Herald)

🔬 HEALTH & RESEARCH

🧬 York scientists find bladder cancer virus link - University of York researchers have discovered that a common childhood virus (BK virus) may cause DNA damage linked to bladder cancer – potentially opening the door to prevention like the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer. The virus usually lies dormant in kidneys but when reactivated, the immune system’s response can accidentally damage DNA in bladder cells in ways that look identical to bladder cancer. Lead author Dr Simon Baker reckons this could mean “we may one day be able to stop cancer before it starts.” (The Tab)

💼 BUSINESS

🎬 Visit York launches Kings Cross tourism campaign - Visit York has launched a major two-week promotional campaign at Kings Cross underground station in London, showcasing York and North York Moors’ film and TV locations. Running December 1-14, the displays feature York’s skyline and atmospheric streets at one of the UK’s busiest travel hubs, reaching millions of potential visitors daily. (Gazette & Herald / Make It York)

🍺 New craft ale house opens in former Bettys café - The Little Ale House has opened its doors in the former Little Bettys Café on Stonegate. Owner Richard Park, who runs a similar pub in Harrogate, has kept the building’s traditional character with open fireplaces, church pews, and the original Taylors Tea counters from over 100 years ago. The pub stocks one of the largest whisky selections outside Manchester, Edinburgh and London, plus gin from local distillery Cooper King. Dogs welcome, open 2pm-10:30pm daily. (Gazette & Herald / York Press)

💪 York fitness app doubles users after £800k funding - York-based RoxFit has doubled its user base to over 180,000 since securing £800k investment led by DSW Ventures in May. The hybrid fitness platform, designed for Hyrox-style training, has now launched RoxFit 2.0 with expanded features. Founders Ben Wilson and Joey Allott, who launched in 2024, say the DSW Ventures backing has been “significant” in helping them scale. (Business Cloud)

🏗️ York conservation firm builds skills with council support - Pinnacle Conservation, which now employs 58 staff including nine apprentices all paid Real Living Wage, has credited City of York Council’s business support for helping them thrive. Managing director Adam Hickey says the council’s help with tendering guidance, leadership coaching, and Good Business Charter membership has been “incredible.” The firm’s completed work at York Minster, Castle Howard, and is currently restoring 60 Goodramgate owned by York Conservation Trust. (City of York Council)

⚽ SPORT

🏆 Maynard and Pearce both nominated for November awards - York City’s Stuart Maynard and Ollie Pearce have both been nominated for Enterprise National League monthly awards for November. Maynard’s up for Manager of the Month after a perfect record – 18 points from 18 in league matches. Pearce is nominated for Player of the Month after bagging six goals and three assists in six league games, including a brace against Rochdale and four goal involvements at Eastleigh. Winners announced soon. (Yahoo Sports)

What is on in York Today?

🎭 THEATRE & PERFORMANCES

Sleeping Beauty
📍 York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, YO1 7HD
🕐 Multiple times today
The 2025/26 York Theatre Royal pantomime with Evolution Productions! Join us for this timeless tale of adventure, magic and festive family fun. With stunning costumes, gorgeous sets, dazzling special effects and lots of hilarious jokes. A festive treat for the whole family. (Runs through 4 Jan 2026)

Christmas Traditions
📍 York Citadel, The Citadel, 69A Gillygate, YO31 7EA
🕐 7:30pm (FINAL NIGHT)
If you love music that awakens your festive emotions then this is a night not to be missed. The last performance of their Christmas series.

🎵 MUSIC

SASH Christmas Candlelight Concert
📍 Heslington Church, Field Lane, Heslington, YO10 5ED
🕐 7:00pm
A heart-warming evening filled with festive music and community spirit under the soft glow of candlelight. Live performances from Acomb Community Choir and the talented Holly May Violin with audience participation encouraged! Part of SASH’s Winter Appeal raising vital money to help young people find safety, support and warmth when they have nowhere else to go. Every ticket sold helps provide a safe place for young people to stay this Christmas.

York Early Music Christmas Festival (OPENING DAY)
📍 Multiple locations across York
🕐 Multiple times
This year’s Christmas festival brings together seasonal music from across the ages with beautiful repertory from Haydn, Schumann and Mendelssohn. Features mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston with pianist Sholto Kynoch, BBC New Generation Artists the Consone String Quartet, and the internationally acclaimed Chiaroscuro Quartet presenting Mendelssohn’s Octet. (Festival runs through 14 Dec)

🛍️ SHOPPING

Headlock Vintage Clothing Sale
📍 SPARK:York, 17-21 Piccadilly, YO1 9PB
🕐 10am – 6pm
Headlock Vintage are back with their funky vintage pop-up shop! Find gems from all your favourite brands including Adidas, Nike, Levi’s, Berghaus, The North Face and more. Expect Football Shirts, Sweats, Knitwear, Dresses, Denim and loads more! (Continues through Sunday 7 Dec)

That’s Friday sorted. From CQC reports to craft ale openings, cancer breakthroughs to county lines busts – York never stops, does it? Stay dry out there!

Got a story? Hit reply.