THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Monday, January 19, 2025

HELLO, YORK 👋

Monday’s here with plenty happening across our city. We’ve got urgent appeals for Good Samaritans who helped a woman in Huntington, a parking charges consultation that’s just been extended after fierce backlash from traders, and Patrick Pool closing next week for electric works. Plus there’s an important warning about invisible Legionella risks that York landlords need to hear. Let’s dive in.

☁️ WEATHER FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026
High: 8°C | Low: 4°C; Cloudy with 70% chance of rain (0.4mm expected). Winds 9-16 mph. Source: Meteored UK

🚨 URGENT APPEALS

👤 Good Samaritans sought after woman followed in Huntington; A woman was followed along New Lane, Huntington on Wednesday evening (15 Jan, 9:20pm) by a man making threatening comments. Two members of the public stopped to help. Police arrested a suspect but need those witnesses to come forward. Contact PC Nicki Holmes on 101, ref 12250244053. | York Press

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We’re appealing for information about anyone who may have witnessed the incident, in particular two males who stopped their vehicle to help the victim and stayed with her for a short while.

🔍 Laura Cowper wanted for shop thefts; Police are seeking 41-year-old Laura Cowper in connection with shop thefts. She’s white, slim, 5ft 5-6in tall, with light brown/ginger hair and believed still in York. Contact 101, ref 12250244053. YorkMix

|🚗 TRANSPORT & PARKING

⏰ Patrick Pool closing next week for electric works; City centre street Patrick Pool will close between Church Street and Newgate from 26-30 January for electric works. Signed diversions in place. Access maintained for residents and emergency services unless blocked by works. | York Press

📋 Parking charges review extended after “knife-edge” backlash; City of York Council has extended its parking charges consultation until 27 February and expanded it to include Heworth after traders said a 275% hike left Bishopthorpe Road “on a knife-edge.” Review now covers Bishopthorpe Road, Micklegate, The Groves and Heworth’s East Parade. Independent consultants Arup conducting review. Respond at ourbigconversation.york.gov.uk. Gazette & Herald

🚂 Thirsk Station gets lifts - ending “no-go” status; Thirsk Railway Station will get lifts through Department for Transport’s Access for All Programme, ending its status as a “no-go area” for mobility-impaired passengers. Previously only accessible via steep steps or barrow crossing. MP Kevin Hollinrake called it a “team effort” with TransPennine Express and North Yorkshire Council.

🌾 AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

🦆 Third bird flu outbreak near York in four weeks; Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) confirmed on premises near Elvington/Kexby - the third outbreak since Christmas Eve. 3km protection zone covers Elvington, Kexby, Sutton upon Derwent. 10km surveillance zone includes parts of York, Stamford Bridge, Dunnington, Bishopthorpe, Wheldrake.

♻️ Garden waste subscriptions open - price rises to £52; York’s 40-week garden waste service now open for 2026 subscriptions at £52/year (up from £49). Service starts 2 March, deadline 13 February. 50% discount (£26) for Council Tax Support recipients. Around 40,000 subscribers. Sign up at york.gov.uk/GardenWaste or 01904 551 551. YorkMix

Cllr Nigel Ayre, leader of the opposition Lib Dem group on City of York Council, criticised the increase, saying “charges have increased by 13 per cent since they were first introduced and the effects are being felt in the most deprived communities”.

🐷 East Yorkshire pig specialist wins Yorkshire-backed scholarship; Nicola Bowers, East Yorkshire pig veterinary technician, won Nuffield Farming Scholarship sponsored by Yorkshire Agricultural Society to study flexible farrowing systems worldwide. She’ll visit UK, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand. Findings published 2027. Speaking at Yorkshire Farming Conference 28 January.

🌳 134 million trees planned for region by 2050; York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith and West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin launched White Rose Forest Strategic Plan 2025-2050, targeting 134 million trees over 25 years. Will increase tree cover from 12% to 16.5%, connecting communities with nature and tackling climate change.

🏠 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

🎵 Hi Ho Club fears flats will “ruin business”; Hi Ho Club owner Charlotte Hudson strongly objects to plans for eight flats above former Boots building (now Oliver Bonas) in King’s Square. Says residential conversion above late-night music venue (trading until midnight) “will undoubtedly ruin our business” through noise complaints. K Square 2 LLP proposes five one-bed, three two-bed flats.

🏘️ Sixth housing application for Springfield Garth site; New application for six houses between Springfield Garth, St Peter’s Street and Lakeside Way submitted to North Yorkshire Council. Access via St Peter’s Street. Previous applications for 18, 23, and 8 houses all rejected. 35 objections lodged.

🍗 BUSINESS & ECONOMY

🍖 Wingstop fried chicken chain coming to York; American fried chicken chain Wingstop looks set to open in York after assistant manager job appeared on Glassdoor. Chain has 3,000+ restaurants worldwide, first UK store 2018. Rumoured location: Monks Cross (unconfirmed). Company declined to confirm opening date. YorkMix |

💍 W Hamond Whitby Jet enters administration; CW Sellors (owner of W Hamond Whitby Jet brand) and sister firm Cressbrook Investments appointed administrators. Owns W Hamond branches on Church Street, Whitby and Shambles, York. 36 redundancies made. Stores continue trading while seeking buyer. Administrators consolidating Whitby sites, closing four locations. Est. 1979.

🎺 Generation Groove gains charity status; Haxby-based community band Generation Groove (est. 2002) granted charity status (No. 1214993). Will help expand reach, attract funding, develop youth band. First charity gala concert 28 March at Haxby Memorial Hall - music, fish & chips, bar, raffle, auction. Tickets £25 from Larch Music Haxby (01904 765900).

🏪 £324 stock stolen from Davygate store; Stock worth £324 stolen from store on Davygate on 23 December. Police investigating and issued CCTV photographs.

⚠️ HEALTH & SAFETY

💧 Legionella: The invisible threat York landlords overlook; York landlords and property managers warned about hidden Legionella bacteria risks in water systems. Bacteria causes Legionnaires’ disease, severe pneumonia threatening older adults and immunocompromised. York’s mix of historic buildings with outdated plumbing particularly vulnerable. Legal obligations under Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH Regulations require risk assessments. Common hazards: stagnant water in unused spaces, variable occupancy, inadequate temperature control (bacteria thrives 20-45°C).

Legionella is an invisible risk with very visible consequences — potentially severe illness, loss of tenancy confidence, or even legal action. For York landlords and business owners, staying ahead in 2026 means looking beyond the obvious and addressing the real health threats in your water systems.

🎭 WHAT’S ON

🚜 Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Café praised; Award-winning café at Gate Helmsley (Stamford Bridge Road) praised for quiche, burgers, raspberry roulade. 28-acre farm with tractor slide playground, digger trucks, pick-your-own fruit. Stocks Haxby Bakery, Voakes Pork Pies. Est. 2004, sustainability focus.

🎤 Isaac H.P. joins York Comedy Society; Comedian Isaac H.P. performed at York Comedy Society’s stand-up night. Society continues hosting regular comedy events.

🍺 Old Grey Mare named Clifton’s top winter pub; The Old Grey Mare on Clifton Green recognized as winter’s top pub in the area.

⚽ SPORT

🏃 Brass Monkey record smashed as 1,800 tackle York; Gavin Taylor (Leeds City AC) smashed 15-year Brass Monkey Half Marathon record Sunday, finishing 1:05:05 (previous: 1:05:21, stood since 2011). George Ravenhall (Airecentre Pacers, 1:06:14) second, Gavyn Chamlers (Leeds City AC, 1:06:22) third. First woman: Lindsay Skinner (Off That Couch Fitness, 1:16:48). 4,700 entered ballot for 2,000 places. 43rd edition of legendary January race starting York Racecourse. Gazette & Herald

⚽ York City Ladies’ historic FA Cup run ends; York City Ladies’ record-breaking Adobe Women’s FA Cup campaign ended Sunday with 3-0 defeat at Chatham Town Women. Minsterbelles reached fourth round for first time in history - furthest ever. As lowest-ranked team remaining (tier four), defeated West Didsbury & Chorlton, Leeds Modernians, Wroxham, Altrincham. Manager Dan Jackson: “I’m immensely proud. Not many tier four teams get to this stage.” Goalkeeper Becky Sidwell outstanding.

🏉 York Knights’ star signing Vaughan rested in friendly; Marquee signing Paul Vaughan (34, former NRL/Warrington Wolves prop) missed Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Huddersfield Giants as precaution while recovering from groin injury. Coach Mark Applegarth: “He’s fully running, fully contact - if I needed to play Paul Vaughan, he could have played.” Expected Challenge Cup debut early February against Wigan St Judes or Barrow Raiders. Knights lost friendly 22-4. Begin maiden Super League campaign with nine new signings - first top-flight season in 45 years.

That’s it for today’s Brief. From parking battles to broken records, York’s been busy this weekend. If you’ve got a story we should know about, spot something happening around York, or just want to say hello, drop us a line.

Have a great Monday, York. We’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning.