THE YORK BRIEF Monday, ⏰January 26, 2026
York's Weekly Round-Up: Progress & Community Wins Maternity services lifted from special measures, York Canoe Club gets permanent home, council's £396M asset strategy unveiled, and JORVIK Festival countdown begins. Plus weather, transport updates, and local news.
Good morning, York! Welcome to your Monday roundup of what's happening around our historic city. From maternity services turning a corner to council plans reshaping our city, canoe clubs finally getting permanent homes to tunnel fires disrupting travel - there's plenty to catch up on. We've got you covered with the stories that matter to our community. Grab your morning cuppa and let's dive in.
🏥 HEALTH
💉York Maternity Services Lifted from Special Measures; Maternity services at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals have been lifted out of special measures after improvements following a damning 2023 inspection. The Care Quality Commission formally removed the Section 31 notice late last year after the trust addressed serious safety concerns including monitoring equipment shortages and ward security issues.
🔬Hull York Medical School Supporting Malaria Vaccine Development; Research at Hull York Medical School is supporting the development of a malaria vaccine, with Professor Gavin Wright's decade-old discovery of the RH5 protein on red blood cells now informing vaccine trials. The protein is essential for the malaria parasite to infect human cells, making it an important vaccine target. The school is also conducting the BioDriveAFS trial to improve fungal infection detection in acute leukaemia patients.
🏢 BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT
🏪Council Selling Coney Street Shop in Major Asset Strategy; York Council plans to sell 25-27 Coney Street (currently Holland & Barrett) to developers Helmsley Group as part of a five-year asset management strategy covering 1,300 properties worth £396 million. The council bought the building in 2019 to influence development plans and secure a riverside path. Helmsley will lease a refurbished ground floor unit back to the council rent-free, which can then be offered to commercial tenants. The Coney Street redevelopment starts later this year. Councillors discuss the strategy today, with the executive deciding in March. York Press | YorkMix
York city centre shop set to be sold amid plans for council-owned assets
💻 Data Centre to Heat Community Stadium Swimming Pool; Council plans include leasing land next to the LNER Community Stadium to Deep Green for a data centre that will provide excess energy to heat the complex's swimming pool. A similar facility in Trafford, Manchester saves an estimated £80,000 in energy costs and cuts yearly carbon emissions by about 150 tonnes. The move is part of the council's five-year asset strategy generating £6.9 million in income. York Press | YorkMix
⚖️Ramsdens Solicitors Eyes Growth Across Yorkshire; Yorkshire law firm Ramsdens Solicitors now operates 11 offices across the county, including a recently opened York location. The 150-year-old firm has been recognised as a 'Leading Firm' in the prestigious Legal 500 2026 edition and employs around 270-280 staff. The firm recently announced three new partner promotions and is entering a new growth phase following its York expansion.
📹 Sainsbury's Rolls Out Facial Recognition to More UK Stores; Sainsbury's is rolling out Facewatch facial recognition technology to five more London stores this week after a successful trial. The supermarket reports a 46% reduction in theft, harm, aggression and anti-social behaviour incidents, with 92% of offenders not returning after being identified. CEO Simon Roberts said the expansion aims to ensure colleagues never feel at risk doing their jobs. Clear signage will explain the technology at store entrances.
👥 COMMUNITY
🛶 York Canoe Club Finally Getting Permanent Home; After 20 years of saving, York Canoe Club will be offered a 15-year lease for a peppercorn rent on part of Rowntree Park's maintenance depot for equipment storage. The club currently lacks a permanent home. This is part of the council's five-year asset strategy being discussed today.
☕Choose 2 Café Lease Secured in Hull Road Park; A modular building in Hull Road Park will be leased to Choose 2, a social enterprise working with disabled children and adults who have run a café there since 2017. The lease renewal is part of the council's community asset plans.
🚨 FLOOD WARNINGS
🌊 Two Flood Warnings Active in York and North Yorkshire
Two flood warnings remain in place across York and North Yorkshire as river levels continue to be monitored. The Environment Agency is operating flood gates and the Foss Barrier to manage water levels. Residents in affected areas should remain vigilant.
An agency spokesman said: “We are currently operating flood gates and the Foss Barrier. We are monitoring rainfall and river levels. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one and activate any flood protection products you may have.”
🏛️ GOVERNANCE
📋 York & North Yorkshire Bids for "Established Status"; The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority officially backed a bid for Established Status on Friday (January 23), which could unlock greater funding, flexibility and powers over transport, housing, adult skills, and economic development. If approved, it would be the first rural region to achieve this status, joining Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire. The authority supported 370+ projects in 2025, investing £39 million. A decision isn't expected before summer 2026.
"Applying for this status is a bold step forward, unlocking funding, flexibility and the powers we need to realise our full potential and deliver lasting prosperity for communities across York and North Yorkshire."
🎓 STUDENT LIFE
🔥 York St John Warm Spaces Return for Students; York St John University has reopened its warm spaces for students facing financial pressures. The initiative offers heated study areas and support services throughout the winter months, helping students manage rising energy costs.
🚂 TRANSPORT
🔥Tunnel Fire Disrupts Transpennine Train Services; A fire in the Standedge Tunnel between Marsden and Stalybridge brought Transpennine services to a halt yesterday (January 25). All lines were blocked as West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue tackled the blaze, with trains diverted via the Calder Valley where possible. Services running between Leeds and Manchester Victoria bypassed Huddersfield and Stalybridge. Disruption continued until 4pm on Sunday.
⚡Patrick Pool Closes for Five Days; Patrick Pool, off Swinegate, closes today (Monday, January 26) until Friday (January 30) for electric works. The street will be shut to motorists between its junction with Church Street and Newgate. Alternative routes will be signposted, and access for residents and emergency services maintained.
🚨 CRIME
🔍 Metal Detectorists Detained at Stamford Bridge; Two men were detained by Humberside Police on Saturday (January 24) after illegally metal detecting on monument ground around Stamford Bridge. The pair hadn't received permission from Historic England to search the protected area. Officers seized their finds and equipment, launching an ongoing Heritage Crime Investigation. Landowners and farmers are urged to check their land for damage. York Press
📚 WHAT'S ON
📖 Matt Haig Launching The Midnight Train in York; Bestselling author Matt Haig brings his new novel The Midnight Train to The Citadel in Gillygate on Tuesday, May 26 from 7pm. Early bird tickets (including a specially reduced book price) are available through Topping and Company, the new bookshop opening in Museum Street. The book hits shelves Thursday, May 21. York Press
⚔️ JORVIK Viking Festival Countdown Begins; Adult workshops for the JORVIK Viking Festival (February 16-22) have already sold out, but new events are still being added including spirits and beer tasting sessions celebrating Norse-inspired beverages. It's one of York's biggest annual celebrations of Viking heritage.
💡 Eye of York Road Closure for Colour & Light Event; York Castle road, which encircles the Eye of York, will close for nearly three weeks starting February 3 for York BID's Colour & Light event. The closure runs from 12:01am Tuesday (February 3) to 11:59pm Sunday (February 22), with road closures expected between 5pm-9pm each evening (subject to confirmation). The event will feature projections on York Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower. Traffic signs and barriers will be in place, with emergency service access maintained.
🏛️ ARTS & CULTURE
🎨 York Museums Trust Generates £17.9m for Economy; York Museums Trust welcomed over 390,000 visitors in the 2024/25 financial year and generates a gross economic impact of £17.9 million, including £14.7 million in visitor spend on-site and in the surrounding area. The trust employs 115 staff (127 full-time equivalent) and costs £17,000 per day to run, with most income from ticket sales and commercial activity. The trust recently received a £1 million government lifeline after warning that significant long-term investment was needed.
🍦 FOOD & DRINK
🍨 Yorkshire's Geographic Centre Serves Award-Winning Ice Cream; The village of Hessay, located at the geographical centre of Yorkshire, is home to Curlew Fields Dairies. Owner Nina Hildreth runs the ice cream shop, serving locals and visitors exploring this unique location. Examiner Live
🚂 HERITAGE
🌉 Bridge 42 Appeal: North York Moors Railway Needs Your Help;
The North York Moors Railway has launched the Bridge 42 Appeal to repair the historic 180-year-old structure between Grosmont Level Crossing and the tunnel. Built in 1836 for the original Whitby and Pickering railway, the Grade II listed bridge handles approximately 10,000 locomotive movements each year, making it the railway's busiest.
And that's a wrap on this Monday's York news! Got a story tip or feedback on the newsletter? We'd love to hear from you. Until next time, stay dry out there (especially around 1pm!), and keep supporting the brilliant local businesses, organizations, and people that make York special.
See you in the next edition! 🏰
