The York Brief - Monday Update ⏰ Monday, October 27, 2025
From hatmakers to train chaos, royal museums to bonfire nights - York's got stories to tell this week.
Morning, York.
The clocks went back yesterday, the evenings are drawing in fast, and there’s a proper autumnal bite in the air. But York’s keeping the energy up - from a local hatmaker going viral worldwide, to major travel disruption as engineers upgrade our railways, and plenty of events to light up the darker nights ahead. Here’s what you need to know.
Monday Weather: Mostly cloudy with occasional bright spells. Temperatures 8-11°C. Dry conditions throughout the day, cooling to 6-8°C this evening.
💼 Business & Economy
🪧 Public Notices Around the City - New planning applications, tree works, and development notices have been posted across York this week. From sycamore felling in New Earswick conservation areas to a major mixed-use scheme at York Brewery (20-unit aparthotel + nine flats), there’s plenty on the planning docket. Check your ward’s notices at york.gov.uk/planning. - Read more at Yahoo News UK
“I am a firm believer that our residents know what is best for their neighbourhood, they live there and they should have a say in shaping what their area looks like. We’re now able to empower local people to make their communities better places for walking, wheeling and cycling. Whether that’s by backing school streets, bikeability courses, safe cycle storage in our town and city centres, or by creating local Active Travel Hubs.”
🚴 Mayor’s Active Travel Fund Gets Green Light
Plans approved to boost cycling and walking infrastructure across York & North Yorkshire. Expect more bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossings, and better connectivity. - Read more at York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority
💼 10-Year Plan to Boost Quality Jobs - The Combined Authority’s unveiled an ambitious strategy to create better-paying, more secure employment across the region. Focus on skills, innovation, and economic growth. - Read more at York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority
🎩 Heritage & Culture
🎩 York Hatmaker to the Stars - Paul Ventress started his bespoke hat career by dressing as Captain Jack Sparrow. Now he’s crafting headwear for celebrities, films, and historical re-enactors. A proper Yorkshire success story! - Read more at Yorkshire Post
🚂 National Railway Museum’s Station Hall Reopens After £11M Makeover After two years behind scaffolding, the National Railway Museum’s stunning Station Hall has reopened following its biggest transformation since 1975. The Grade II-listed Victorian goods station now boasts a new thermally-efficient roof with solar panels, full-length windows flooding the space with natural light, and fresh exhibitions including Queen Victoria’s funeral wreath, a restored 1921 WH Smith bookstall from Waterloo, and the last-ever LNER cheeseburger box. The hall houses the museum’s collection of six royal carriages and reopened just in time for the museum’s 50th birthday. - Read more at The Railway Museum Magazine
💚 Environment & Housing
🔥 62 York Homes Get £1.6M Green Makeover - Residents Save £300/Year Residents at Alex Lyon House in Tang Hall and Honeysuckle House in Dringhouses are celebrating after major energy-efficient upgrades transformed their homes. The 62 apartments now feature air source heat pumps, high-efficiency radiators, and solar panels - replacing bulky Economy 7 heaters. One resident hasn’t needed her asthma inhaler since the new system was installed and loves the extra space from thinner radiators. Expected savings: £300 annually per household. - Read more
Since the new heating system has been fitted, I’ve not had to use my asthma inhaler once, my flat’s roomier as the new radiators are thinner and wider, and now I can get hotter water when I want it.
🎵 Arts & Entertainment
🎤 Tom Grennan to Headline York Racecourse Summer Show Chart-topper Tom Grennan will perform at York Racecourse on Saturday, July 25, following a day of racing. Known for hits like “Little Bit of Love” and “By Your Side,” the performance is part of the venue’s annual Music Showcase and promises “a month for music and racing fans to remember” on the Knavesmire. - Read more
🎃 Soul Cakes at York Castle Museum - TODAY! Throughout today, live cooking demonstrations show how to make Soul Cakes—small spiced cakes traditionally made for Halloween as offerings to commemorate the dead. Tasters may be available if you’re lucky! Included in general admission. - Read more
🧙 Magical New Shop Opening at York Designer Outlet The Potions Cauldron Group’s tenth venue opens at York Designer Outlet on Saturday, November 8, offering exclusive deals on magical potions and merchandise. They’ll serve signature Wizard Style Spellbound Butterscotch Beer and Hot Chocolate Frog. First 100 customers get complimentary tickets to their mini golf attraction, The Hole In Wand. - Read more
🏆 Local Curry House Shortlisted
The Parvin in Haxby’s been shortlisted for regional curry awards. Their Sunday Mega Buffet and quiz nights have made them a local favorite - now they’re getting recognized beyond York! - More at The Parvin
💅 New Nail Shop Arrives on Stonegate
A new press-on / nail studio, MaYonail / Press Nail Shop, is opening on Stonegate (York). It’s getting buzz already via social media. Read More at YorkPress
⚽ Sports
⚽ York City Fight Back for 1-1 Draw in Yorkshire Derby The Minstermen rescued a point at The Shay on Saturday after Ollie Pearce struck five minutes from time to cancel out Will Harris’s early opener for FC Halifax Town. It was a backs-to-the-wall performance with three goals chalked off by officials and York dominating possession but struggling to break down Halifax’s resolute defence. Mills and Hobson were immense at the back for the Shaymen. - Read more
🚨 Crime & Safety
🚔 Five Arrested in York Suburbs Crime Blitz Drug raids in Foxwood and Chapelfields resulted in four arrests on Wednesday, October 15 - a 53-year-old man, 47-year-old woman, 21-year-old man, and 17-year-old boy, all released on conditional bail. On Saturday, October 18, a 30-year-old man was arrested for a string of commercial burglaries and shop thefts in Foxwood and Woodthorpe. He’s also been released on bail as investigations continue. - Read more at The York Mix
🔍 Investigation Reports: Social Care in Yorkshire - New investigation into social care provision across Yorkshire raises concerns about standards and funding. Important read for anyone with family members in care or working in the sector. - Read more at Examiner Live
🔥 York Flats Evacuated After Kitchen Fire Firefighters from York and Acomb rushed to Crathorne House on Jackson Street Saturday night after a kitchen fire filled flats with smoke. The blaze started when an item was mistakenly placed on a cooker that was then turned on. Crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the smoke-logged flats. All residents unharmed. - Read more
🚧 Travel & Infrastructure
⚠️ Almost All York Trains Replaced by Buses This Weekend Major engineering works affecting York Station all weekend mean nearly all trains have been replaced by buses. No trains running between Doncaster/Leeds and York, Sheffield and York, or Blackpool North and York. Buses replacing trains between Knaresborough and York through November 2. The £1.1m upgrade includes replacing sleepers and track, renewing drainage and overhead lines, and repairs to Cattal signal box. Journey times extended by approximately 45 minutes - check before you travel. - Read more at The York Mix
⚠️ Albemarle Road Closes for Week-Long Maintenance South Bank’s main road closes today for essential roadworks. Albemarle Road, Scarcroft Hill, and Telford Terrace closed daily October 27-November 4, 8am-5pm. Diversions via Scarcroft Road, Campleshon Road, and Bishopthorpe Road. - Read more
🏗️ Historic Railway Line Upgrade Begins
Work’s underway on upgrading the East Coast Main Line between York and Northallerton. Expect some disruptions, but the payoff is faster, more reliable services. - Read more at Yorkshire Post
🏛️ Health & Social Care
🏥 Yorkshire Social Care Inspections Reveal Mixed Results Care Quality Commission inspections across Yorkshire revealed wide variation in council social care provision, with results ranging from “good” to “inadequate.” Calderdale and Leeds scored 70/100 (good), while East Riding received just 28/100 (inadequate). York’s results haven’t been released yet but are expected soon. The inspections assess nine areas including safeguarding, governance, and assessing needs. - Read more
⚖️ LEGAL & JUSTICE
⚖️ Legal Accolades: Byrne & Byrne
Huge congratulations to Colin Byrne of Howard & Byrne Solicitors! He’s been named Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year 2025 at the annual Yorkshire Legal Awards. The York-based criminal law specialist was recognized for his outstanding work and dedication to justice. Putting York on the legal map! - Read more at Gazette & Herald
🎉 What’s On This Week
🎆 Bonfire Night Fireworks Around York
With Guy Fawkes Night approaching, here are spectacular displays happening around York:
🎇 Monk Park Farm, Thirsk - Wednesday, November 5 First-ever “Fireworks at the Farm” features low-bang display set to Disney music (perfect for sensitive ears), carnival games, marshmallow toasting, and street food. Gates 5pm, bonfire 5:30pm. £10 adults/children, £3 under-ones. - Read more at York Mumbler
✨ Acomb Rugby Club - Wednesday, November 5 Gates 5:30pm, fireworks 7:30pm. Advanced tickets £3.50, £4 on gate. Under-5s and OAPs FREE. Number 4 bus stops outside. - Read more at YorkMix
🎆 York Autumn Lights - TODAY at Elvington Airfield! York’s biggest firework display features TWO choreographed shows, Dick & Dom, La Flamo Fire Show, Spark! Drummers, and Young Elton tribute. Gates 3pm, children’s display 7:40pm, grand finale 9:15pm. £16.99 adults, £8.99 children online. - Read more at Autumn Lights
That’s your York Brief for Monday, October 27, 2025. Nineteen stories covering York’s latest news, from legal accolades to firework displays, new businesses to community initiatives.
Got a story? Reply to this email. Know someone who’d love York news? Forward this on.
