THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Monday, 30 March 2026

Good morning, York! 🏰 Easter is almost here - the Chocolate Festival kicks off Wednesday, a massive craft festival is rolling into Parliament Street next week, and shooting investigation continues. But first, is anyone else struggling to find fuel this morning? Let's get into it

📰 NEWS

⛽ Two York Petrol Stations Ran Dry on Saturday - Is Yours Back Open?
York drivers hit a bump over the weekend. Two petrol stations in York closed their doors temporarily on Saturday (March 28) after fuel sold out, the Sainsbury's and Asda stations at Monks Cross. Sainsbury's has since confirmed it has reopened, while Asda said its closure was temporary pending a delivery. This follows petrol and diesel costs climbing sharply since the end of February, after the war between Iran and US-Israeli forces disrupted oil production and supply from the region. Average unleaded prices have hit a two-year high, jumping more than 14p a litre to reach 147.19p, according to RAC figures. If you're heading out today, it's worth checking before you go. (Sources: YorkMix | Yahoo News UK)

🗳️ York Councillor Joins New Political Party - Calls for Resignation Follow - A significant development in York's political landscape. A York councillor has announced they are joining a new political party, sparking calls from fellow politicians for them to resign their seat and trigger a by-election. The calls centre on democratic accountability, the argument being that the councillor was elected under a different party's banner and should seek a fresh mandate from their constituents before sitting under new colours. Full details of the councillor and the party they have joined are in the YorkMix story. (Source: YorkMix)

🔫 Tang Hall Shooting Investigation Continues — Police Appeal for Information - The four people arrested in connection with the Tang Hall shooting investigation remain on bail. The incident occurred at around 9.25 pm on Saturday, March 7, when CCTV footage showed a suspect firing a weapon towards a stationary vehicle before fleeing on foot. No injuries were reported, and police believe it was a targeted incident with no wider risk to the community. Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference 12260041722, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. (Sources: Yorkshire Post | North Yorkshire Police)

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "We are continuing to appeal for people in the Tang Hall area of York to come forward, particularly those on Starkey Crescent, Rockingham Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Melrosegate."

🚗 North Yorkshire Gets Its First Fixed Speed Cameras - York Gets More Road Money - A landmark transport decision with direct implications for York drivers. The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed £298.4m for highways maintenance and £17.5m for active travel over the next four years, plus an additional £30m ringfenced for road safety work, including improvements outside schools. This pot includes £2m for North Yorkshire's first ever fixed and average speed cameras. Crucially for York: City of York Council will see its road maintenance allocation rise to £7.1m in 2026/27, up from £4.4m the previous year, a significant uplift. However, North Yorkshire Council leaders voted against the settlement, arguing the deal leaves their authority around £20m worse off than if the money came direct from the Department for Transport. (Sources: Richmondshire Today | YorkMix)

🛣️ Pothole Funding Row Between York and North Yorkshire Reaches Parliament - The bitter dispute over road funding has now gone all the way to Westminster. North Yorkshire Council leaders, who say they're losing out under the Combined Authority's new funding formula, have taken their frustrations to Parliament. Councillor Peter Kilbane, Labour deputy leader of City of York Council, hit back saying: "Conservative Liberal austerity destroyed our roads. We are now setting about fixing them with that additional £105m extra over that period." The row pits York's Labour council against North Yorkshire's Conservative council over how Mayor David Skaith has divided up the regional road budget. (Source: Hambleton Today)

🏊 New Earswick Pool Fundraising Campaign Launched - The community around New Earswick is rallying to secure the future of its beloved local pool. A fundraising campaign has been launched to ensure the pool, which serves residents across New Earswick, Huntington and surrounding areas, can continue operating. Full details of how to support the campaign are in the York Press story. (Source: York Press)

🚨 CRIME

🍫 KitKat Easter Heist - 413,793 Bars Stolen, Shortages Possible - York is proudly the UK's Chocolate City, so this one lands close to home. A massive 12-ton shipment of Nestlé's KitKat bars was stolen during transit in Europe, with the truck disappearing while heading between a factory in central Italy and its destination in Poland. Nestlé confirmed that 413,793 units of its new chocolate range are missing. Nestlé issued a statement with its signature wit: "We've always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat — but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate." The company confirmed that supply is not affected PR Newswire — so your Easter stash should be safe. Each bar is traceable by a unique batch code. (Sources: Gazette & Herald | Nestlé/PR Newswire | Newsweek)

🎭 WHAT'S ON

🍫 York Chocolate Festival Opens THIS WEDNESDAY - Don't Miss It - It's finally here. York's favourite Easter event, the York Chocolate Festival, opens on Wednesday 1st April and runs through to Sunday 5th April on Parliament Street and across the city centre. Free entry, live chocolate sculpting, artisan markets, the famous Taste Trail, and hands-on workshops. York's world-famous status as the UK's "Chocolate City" is on full display. Kick off your Easter week in the sweetest possible way. Full details at yorkchocolatefestival.com. (Sources: Gazette & Herald | Visit York)

🧶 Yorkshire Craft Festival Coming to Parliament Street 7–12 April - Right after Easter, Parliament Street transforms again. Made in Yorkshire is hosting the Yorkshire Craft Festival on Parliament Street from 7th to 12th April — a six-day celebration of Yorkshire's creative talent. The festival will transform the city centre into a hub of creativity with demonstrations including stained glass making, blacksmithing, felt-making, willow weaving and paper craft, plus a large main marquee filled with local makers and producers. The festival itself is free to attend and open from 10:00 to 17:00 daily. A brilliant week for the kids during the Easter holidays. (Sources: YO1 Radio | Made in Yorkshire)

🚲 Annual Bike Run from Selby to Pickering - The annual bike run from Selby to Pickering returns - a popular community ride through the North Yorkshire countryside passing through or close to York. A great Easter week activity for cycling fans. Full route and registration details at YorkMix. (Source: YorkMix)

📚 York Event with Bestselling 'Chocolat' Author Joanne Harris - A literary treat to go alongside all that chocolate. Bestselling author Joanne Harris — whose novel Chocolat was adapted into the beloved film starring Juliette Binoche and Alfred Molina - is appearing at a York event. Full details of the venue, date and how to book in the York Press story. (Source: York Press)

🪁 York Giant Octopus Show Cancelled Due to High Winds - The giant octopus installation that York residents had been anticipating had to be cancelled or postponed due to high winds, according to the York Press. Disappointing for those who'd made plans - keep an eye on local listings for any rescheduled dates. (Source: York Press)

🏃 SPORT

🏆 YO1 Radio Sports Awards 2026 - Nominations Now Open - Time to celebrate York's sporting heroes. YO1 Radio's annual Sports Awards are back and nominations are now open. If there's an athlete, team, coach or volunteer in York and North Yorkshire who deserves recognition, now is the time to put them forward. Full details of categories and how to nominate at YO1 Radio. (Source: Gazette & Herald)

🚂 TRANSPORT

🚆 York-Leeds-Manchester Trains Delayed - Animal on the Line - Not the most festive of Easter starts for commuters. York, Leeds and Manchester train services experienced delays due to an animal on the line, always a disruption that's difficult to predict and even harder to hurry along. Check National Rail before travelling this week. (Source: York Press)

🎓 STUDENT LIFE

🎨 Art on Campus - University of York Edition - The University of York's campus art scene is getting some well-deserved attention. The Tab has published a look at the vibrant art installations and student creative work across the Heslington campus — a reminder that York's university community adds a rich creative layer to the city's cultural life. (Source: The Tab)

🌳 HERITAGE

🏛️ North York Moors Visitor Centres Turn 50 - A milestone anniversary for two beloved North Yorkshire institutions. The North York Moors National Park's visitor centres at Sutton Bank and Danby are celebrating their 50th birthday, five decades of welcoming walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and families to the moors. While this is a North Yorkshire story rather than strictly York city, these are places deeply woven into the lives of York residents who head to the moors regularly. (Sources: Darlington & Stockton Times | Northern Echo)