THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Monday, December 8, 2025

✨ Morning, York

Damp pavements and December chill in the air, but plenty of sparks beneath the grey. Today we’ve got hard-hitting news, hopeful stories, and a community still fighting - because that’s who we are. Ready? Let’s dive in.

York starts chilly and damp today — expect scattered showers this morning, with cloud cover hanging around through the afternoon. High around 8 °C, low near 3 °C. Grab a coat and maybe an umbrella. The Met Office says we’re looking at a high of 11°C and a low of 9°C today. There’s a 70% chance of rain at 7am clearing to sunshine later, with SSW winds at 10mph. Sunrise at 8:11am, sunset at 3:48pm.

📰 NEWS

🌊 Flood warnings remain in York area - Three flood warnings are still active around York as the River Ouse hit 3.07 metres. The Environment Agency is monitoring levels at King’s Staith and Queen’s Staith, with alerts also in place for areas near Naburn Lock. Worth checking before heading near the riverside today. Read more at York Press.

🗳️ Tearoom owner Tony Vickers announces council election bid - The owner of Ruswarp Riverside Tearoom has confirmed he’ll stand for York Council in 2025. Tony Vickers, who’s been vocal about planning issues affecting his business, says he wants to bring a fresh perspective to local decision-making. Elections are in May. Read more at York Press.

⚠️ Council leader condemns fake adverts - York Council leader Claire Douglas has slammed fake advertisements appearing to be from the authority. The bogus ads have been circulating online, potentially misleading residents. The council is working to have them removed and urges people to verify information through official channels only. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🚌 £41m bus funding secured for region - York and North Yorkshire have landed £41 million in government funding for bus services. Mayor David Skaith says the cash will improve routes, frequency and affordability across the combined authority area. Details on which services benefit most are expected soon. Read more at Richmondshire Today.

“We’ll keep doing what matters for our communities, delivering essential services and improved infrastructure, working with our local councils and exploring every option to create a more affordable, accessible and integrated bus network in York and North Yorkshire.”

🚨 CRIME

⚖️ Hotel sex attacker jailed with 10-year ban - Brett Whittaker, 49, has been jailed and handed a 10-year hotel ban after sexually assaulting a woman at a York hotel. The labourer from Middlesbrough pleaded guilty and received a custodial sentence, with the court imposing restrictions preventing him from staying at hotels nationwide. Read more at York Press.

🎅 Dancing Santa thief in court - A man appeared before magistrates charged with stealing a dancing Santa decoration from a York property. The festive theft was among several cases heard at York Magistrates’ Court last week, where he pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay compensation. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🎬 Aesthetica boosts York economy by £1.7m - Cherie Federico’s Aesthetica Film Festival generated £1.7 million for York’s economy this year, according to new impact figures. The festival, which transforms the city each November, attracted visitors from across the UK and internationally, supporting hotels, restaurants and local businesses throughout. Read more at York Press.

🏃 SPORT & COMMUNITY

🎅 300 Santas chase pudding for charity - More than 300 festive runners raised over £4,000 in Saturday’s Santas Chase the Pud race through York. Participants dressed as Father Christmas tackled the 5k route, with all proceeds going to local charities. Organizers say it’s become one of York’s most popular seasonal fundraisers. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

💪 Britain’s Strongest Woman coming to Barbican - York Barbican will host Britain’s Strongest Woman competition in 2026. The strength athletics event promises to bring elite competitors to the city for a day of heavy lifting, log presses and atlas stones. Tickets go on sale early next year. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🏃‍♂️ Kevin Sinfield MND fundraiser inspires York club - Around 25 people from Burton Lane Club completed a 5k walk on Saturday inspired by Kevin Sinfield’s latest MND challenge. The Bootham Crescent club expects to raise over £1,000 for the MND Association, with a charity raffle and party held that evening to boost the total. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🎄 WHAT’S ON

🌱 York Vegan Christmas Festival this Saturday - York’s Vegan Christmas Festival returns to The Crescent on December 14. Expect plant-based food stalls, ethical gift vendors and festive treats from 10am to 4pm. Free entry, and a chance to tick off sustainable Christmas shopping. Read more at York Press.

💼 BUSINESS

🤖 Business Festival explores AI and digital essentials - York Business Festival’s ‘Digital Thursday’ drew around 30 local businesses to learn about AI and digital marketing. Dr Andrew Fairely of York St John kicked things off with AI efficiency tools, followed by Simpson Associates on process mapping. The York Press and LOCALiQ delivered a digital marketing masterclass warning that AI-driven search results are changing how customers find businesses, while Techscend covered cybersecurity threats. Cherie Federico closed with insights on sustainable business growth. Read more at York Press.

☕ Post-Budget Brunch draws York business leaders - York BID’s Post-Budget Brunch brought together business leaders last week as part of York Business Festival. The event offered analysis of the Autumn Budget’s impact on local enterprises, with discussions on business rates, employment costs and growth strategies for 2025. Read more at York Press.

🏆 Press Business Awards celebrate York’s best - More than 300 guests gathered at York Racecourse for The Press Business Awards 2025, now in their 34th year. Winners included Sewcialising (Small Business), Shelftrak Ltd (New Business), Dawn Wood (Business Personality), and York Theatre Royal (Creative Industries). The black-tie ceremony celebrated innovation, growth and resilience across York and North Yorkshire. Read more at York Press.

🏺 Melsonby villagers raise £700 for Iron Age hoard - Residents of Melsonby have donated £701.24 to support conservation of the Melsonby Hoard at Yorkshire Museum. The 2,000-year-old collection of over 900 Iron Age objects was secured in August thanks to £192,096 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and public donations. Further funds are needed for specialized display cases. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🛍️ Mayor launches campaign to encourage local shopping - York Mayor has launched a campaign encouraging residents to shop locally this Christmas. With 65% of York’s businesses independently run, the initiative emphasizes how shopping locally preserves the community’s character and boosts the economy during the crucial festive period. Read more at Keighley News.

“Christmas is a vital time for many small businesses, and this challenge is a simple way for all of us to show our support. Choosing to shop locally really does make a difference to our high streets and the communities they serve.”

🏇 RACECOURSE NEWS

🏆 York Racecourse wraps record-breaking 2025 season - York Racecourse concluded its 2025 season with record investment paying off in style. The York Race Committee’s £12m prize money attracted 1,580 horses across 18 racedays - the highest average field size (12.6) in British flat racing. Seventeen Group One winners raced at Knavesmire, with international runners from Australia, Japan and France. William Haggas edged Andrew Balding 13-12 in the trainer battle, while Tom Marquand claimed top jockey with nine victories. The Macmillan Charity Raceday added £458,000, taking the cumulative total past £11m. Read more at York Racecourse.

🇯🇵 York Racecourse builds Japanese racing links - Chief executive William Derby was at Tokyo Racecourse last weekend for the Japan Cup, cementing relationships to attract more Japanese horses to Knavesmire. The track has installed a display at the Tokyo venue and hosted 100 Japanese ex-pats at this year’s Ebor Festival, building on York’s status as host of the world’s highest-rated race. Read more at Yorkshire Post.

🏅 Go Racing in Yorkshire honors top performers - York Racecourse hosted the Go Racing in Yorkshire annual awards ceremony earlier this week. Jason Hart won leading flat jockey for the first time after riding over 130 winners, also claiming the Cock O’ The North title. Tim Easterby took leading flat trainer, while Donald McCain secured his second consecutive leading jump trainer award. Brian Hughes was named leading jump jockey. Read more at York Press.

That’s your round-up for today: weathered rains, real-world urgency, and resilient York spirit. If you spot something we should know, hit reply. I’ll see you tomorrow — dry coat, warmer heart.