THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Friday, January 23, 2026
✨ Good morning, York! Friday arrives cold and active, with plenty on the city news agenda to keep you thinking as you warm up your day. From big wins on the rugby pitch and rail infrastructure promises to ongoing community debates and public safety updates, York continues to balance growth, challenge and civic pride. Whether you’re heading out for errands or settling in with a brew, here’s what’s shaping your city this morning.
Source: Met Office forecast for York
⚖️ Crime & Justice
👮 Thug who robbed 84-year-old woman outside M&S gets 3+ years - David James Bell knocked an elderly woman to the ground on The Pavement last July, stole her purse, left her with head injuries, and ruined her holiday plans. He's now looking at three years and four months behind bars. Police say incidents like this are "exceptionally rare" in York – and that's how we want to keep it.
"Being robbed in the street is something you never think would happen to you. You hear about these things happening in big cities like London, but not really in York. "I’m a bit more apprehensive about going out now, but I am a sensible person, and I try to be careful."
🏥 Health
🤢 Norovirus cases doubled at York hospitals – stay home 48 hours - The winter vomiting bug is absolutely ripping through York and Scarborough hospitals right now. Cases have more than doubled this week. If you've got symptoms or you've been around someone who does, stay away for 48 hours after symptoms stop. It spreads like wildfire. (Gazette & Herald)
🚆 Infrastructure & Transport
🚄 Transport Secretary: "No more second rate transport for York" - Heidi Alexander was in town today signing the Northern Powerhouse Rail deal – £1.1 billion committed, £45 billion total cap. First phase: turn-up-and-go trains between York, Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford. She called York's potential "massive" and said Northerners have put up with rubbish transport "for far too long." Finally.
“Today’s commitment set’s us on the path to faster trains for people to get to work and training, visit family, or enjoy a day out and marks a vote of confidence in York and North Yorkshire’s place in growing the economy for the North and the whole UK.”
🚉 Haxby Station confirmed "within this Parliament" - Mayor Skaith's putting it in writing: Haxby Station is happening, and it's happening within this Parliament. He's in regular contact with Network Rail and the DfT. North York residents will finally get quick access to the city centre and all those shiny new rail connections.
🚴 Blake Street "safety" plan could make cycling MORE dangerous - Council's proposing a loading ban and new exit routes on Blake Street, but York Cycle Campaign says it'll actually put cyclists at MORE risk from vehicles "swinging out into the path of cyclists." York Civic Trust hates the extra signage too. Decision next Tuesday.
🚧 Goodramgate shutting at 9:30am TODAY for emergency work - Yorkshire Water's closing part of Goodramgate from Deangate junction to Tesco Express at half nine this morning. Should reopen Saturday. Pedestrians and businesses unaffected, but if you're driving, reroute via High Petergate.
🌊 Flood alert: River Ouse hitting 3-metre mark - Environment Agency's issued a flood alert as the Ouse approaches 3 metres at Viking Recorder. King's Staith, Queen's Staith, riverside footpaths – all at risk. Don't walk, drive, or cycle through floodwater. Just don't. Gov.uk Flood Information
💸 Car park charges raking in extra £700k (and everyone's fuming) - £4.85 for your first hour, plus 10% extra on Fridays, Saturdays, and event days. Critics say it's "ludicrous" and cheaper to get a parking ticket. Council says they need the cash for highways and sustainable transport. York vs London price comparisons are getting embarrassing.
🌻 Environment
🌸 Wildflowers on the walls expanding to three more locations - Walls in Bloom could be coming to Lord Mayor's Walk, Nunnery Lane, and Station Avenue if Tuesday's vote goes through. Station Rise and Foss Islands Road displays were a hit after initial backlash. Better for biodiversity, cheaper to maintain, and funded by grants.
📬 Business
📪 Market Place Post Office closed AGAIN (second time in a year) - Colliergate branch shut for "operational reasons" – that's two closures in under 12 months. Nearest alternatives: York (0.28mi), Walmgate Bar (0.66mi), Heworth (0.88mi). They're "working hard" to reopen. We've heard that before.
🤝 Free workshops on inclusion for York business owners - Coaching meets occupational therapy in this fully-funded programme from York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority. Learn how to support neurodivergent employees, create sensory-friendly workspaces, and become a better manager. Sessions in Harrogate, Malton, and Tadcaster through March. Email hello@curiousedge.co.uk to get in.
Elaine explained: “Our Thrive at Work programme supports organisations in meeting these challenges by developing more confident, inclusive leaders and creating workplaces where everyone feels they belong and do their best work.
🎓 Education & Community
👨👩👧👦 York Parents Survey: £50 voucher up for grabs - Raise York wants to hear from every parent and carer about family support services. Fill it in by March 31st and you're in the draw for £50 Love2shop vouchers. Biggest survey of York parents in years – make your voice heard. Online or paper copies at Explore Libraries.
"Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: This is the largest survey of parents and carers in York for many years and it’s a great way for people to share their views and experiences of supporting children and young people in the city. We hope that the results will help shape support and services for families now and in the future, so I’d urge as many people as possible to get involved.”
🧠 York St John offering free coaching and therapy support - The university's "Creating Change" initiative is rolling out across North Yorkshire – free coaching and therapy to help people tackle personal and professional challenges. Part of their wider social impact strategy. Check their website for details.
York St. John University
🎬 Free film screenings + hot drinks to keep warm this winter - Zootropolis 2 and Happy Feet, completely free at York St John, hot drinks included. Portakabin Community Support Fund making sure families stay warm and connected. Cinema and Social Justice project doing good work.
📚 York Literature Festival: Susanna Clarke, Jasper Fforde, Pulp's Mark Webber - March's festival is absolutely stacked. Clarke talking fantasy, Fforde on Thursday Next, spoken word poet Isabella Dorta, and Mark Webber sharing Pulp stories from his memoir. Plus debut authors and York St John student showcase. Tickets via York Theatre Royal.
🎨 Kid-run art exhibition returns – submissions by Feb 15th - YorKAOS is back! Ten-year-old Ada Jobling's exhibition for kids aged 5-11 raised £1,800 last year with 220 artists from 40 schools. No competition, no theme, no judging – just kids showcasing their work at SPARK York (Feb 17-21). Register at www.yorkaos.art/register, drop artwork at Explore Libraries by Feb 15th. Artwork sells for £10, proceeds to St Leonard's Hospice and YorMind.
🏘️ Housing
🏠 Council house rents up 4.8% (maximum allowed, above inflation) - North Yorkshire Council going for the full government-allowed increase for 2026/27. Shared ownership up 2% too. They say it'll fund improvements and 500 new homes by 2029 (£110m cost). Maximum increase when inflation's lower? Tenants won't be thrilled.
💷 Politics & Funding
🎯 Mayor backs government funding cuts, gets absolutely slammed - David Skaith said it's "quite right" to realign funding toward deprived areas – even though York & North Yorkshire are losing £43m+ as a result. Council leader Carl Les: "I disagree." Tory councillor Keane Duncan: "actively deprived of funding." Police facing £2.6m unexpected cut. This won't go away quietly.
⛪ Heritage
🙏 10,500+ people want York's Mary Ward declared a saint - The Bar Convent founder who fought for women's education when Catholicism was illegal in England is one step closer to sainthood. Mary Ward (1585-1645) has been Venerable since 2009, and her vision now educates millions across 200 schools in 42 countries. Rome's listening to this petition. Change.org petition |
⚽ Sport
🏆 York City go top with statement win at Carlisle - Three-nil away at Brunton Park on Tuesday night, and we're top of the National League with a point to spare. Goals from Stones (6'), Hunt (75' pen), and Newby late on had the home fans booing and our lot celebrating. Gary Elphick called it "incredible" – and he's not wrong. Title credentials? Looking good.
💰 Free money for aspiring York athletes – deadline Feb 20th - If you're between 10 and 66 and training hard in York, listen up. GLL Sports Foundation is handing out bursaries, free gym access, physio, and mental health support. Last year 28 York athletes got funded, including Haxby triathlete Lucy Hurn who went on to qualify for the Ironman World Championships. Applications close February 20th – don't miss it.
💃 Community Achievement
🌟 York dance school heading to Dublin for 'Olympics of Dance' - Lisa Marie Performing Arts from Nether Poppleton just qualified to represent England at the Dance World Cup this July – competing against 70 countries. Three routines made it through. The kids need to raise £10,000 for the trip, so if you're a local business looking to sponsor something brilliant, this is it. (YorkMix)
