THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Friday, 3rd April 2026

Good morning, York - and happy Easter weekend. It's a big one this Friday: fuel queues, facial recognition cameras, a named storm, and a councillor who's raised more than a few eyebrows. Here's what you need to know before the bank holiday begins.

📰 NEWS

⛽ Petrol Stations Run Dry as Easter Getaway Begins - Several York petrol stations ran out of fuel on Thursday evening as the Easter getaway coincided with surging demand driven by the ongoing Iran conflict. Tesco at Askham Bar, Morrisons on Foss Islands and Sainsbury's at Monks Cross all shut their pumps or ran out of fuel. Asda at Monks Cross was still operating as of Thursday evening but with lanes cordoned off and significant queues. Tesco at Clifton Moor had most pumps open but no diesel or premium fuel at some. The AA estimated 21.7 million journeys were planned nationally on Thursday alone. Petrol has hit 153.7p per litre nationally - up 16% since the Middle East crisis escalated - with diesel at 177.7p. Check current prices before you head out at YorkMix's fuel updates page.

🎄 York Christmas Market Could Get Weekly 'Rest Day' Under New Plans - City of York Council is considering introducing a weekly Tuesday rest day during the Christmas market, giving residents - particularly Blue Badge holders - better access to the city centre at what has historically been the market's quietest day. A report going before the council's executive on 14 April will set out options, with one proposal seeing Tuesday operate in "business as usual" mode with normal vehicle access through the hostile vehicle measures. If approved, 2026 would be treated as a trial. Cllr Pete Kilbane said: "Some people can feel cut off from the city centre at this time of year and this can't continue." City of York Council

"This report looks to explore our options to improve access to the city centre in a way which also keeps the city safe. This includes looking at rest days for the market to support those who need to get into the city centre for everyday needs such as banking services, and for leisure such as enjoying York’s amazing retail and hospitality offer.”

👁️ North Yorkshire Police to Roll Out Facial Recognition Technology in York - North Yorkshire Police has announced it will introduce Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology across York and North Yorkshire - marking the first time the force has used the technology. Cameras will compare live footage against a watchlist of wanted individuals, those who pose a risk to the public, or people subject to court orders. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Ben Moseley said policing was "evolving rapidly" and the technology offered enhanced opportunities to identify high-risk offenders. Non-matching images are deleted immediately and watchlists are cleared at the end of each deployment. YorkMix / York Press

🚑 Yorkshire Ambulance Service Seeks Volunteers Across Three Roles - Yorkshire Ambulance Service is recruiting volunteers for three roles: Community First Responders, who are trained to attend emergency calls in their local area before an ambulance arrives; Patient Transport Service volunteers, who use their own vehicles to take patients to appointments; and Charity Champions, who raise funds for the YAS Charity. No prior medical experience is needed for some roles. Find out more at yas.nhs.uk/get-involved. Telegraph & Argus | Yorkshire Ambulance Services.

🌀 Storm Dave Warning for Easter Weekend - The Met Office has named Storm Dave - the fourth named storm of the year - bringing the prospect of damaging winds and heavy rain to northern England over the Easter weekend. Yellow warnings for wind are in place from Saturday afternoon across Scotland, Northern Ireland, North Wales and the north of England. The worst gusts of up to 90mph are expected in exposed Scottish coastal locations, but York and North Yorkshire should brace for 50-60mph gusts on Saturday night into Easter Sunday. There may also be travel disruption on road, rail and ferry services across the region. Stay ahead of it at the Met Office. York Press

🏛️ York Councillor Joins Far-Right Restore Britain Party - York City Council's only independent councillor, Mark Warters of Osbaldwick and Derwent ward, has confirmed he joined Restore Britain on 26 March - bringing the hard-right party its first presence on York's council. Restore Britain, launched as a political pressure group in June 2025 by Rupert Lowe MP, became a formal party in February and currently has around 17 councillors in England. The party's stated policies include reversing mass immigration, banning the burqa and niqab, and promoting Christian heritage in schools. Anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate has raised concerns about its rhetoric. Liberal Democrat Cllr Andrew Hollyer called for a by-election, saying residents voted for an independent councillor not a party whose leader called for millions of people to be deported. Cllr Warters said his ward work would not change and called the criticism "electioneering." York Press

🚨 CRIME

⛪ York Churchgoer Jailed for Confessing to Sex Abuse of Young Girls - A devout York churchgoer has been jailed for three years after confessing to sexually abusing three young girls over a period of years. Timothy Thrasher, 39, came forward of his own accord - writing a letter of confession to police and his church before any evidence had been found. Judge Sean Morris told York Crown Court it was "almost unique" in his experience that a case would not exist at all without the defendant's own confession. Thrasher, who worshipped at a chapel in York, also admitted to covertly recording two females and attempting to take an upskirt photograph. He will serve half of his three-year sentence before release on licence. YorkMix

🌿 ENVIRONMENT

🌳 Hazel Court Tip: Book Before You Go This Easter - Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, City of York Council is reminding residents to book a slot at Hazel Court Household Waste Recycling Centre before travelling. The Click Before You Tip system, now in its second month, requires all visitors to pre-book. Council officials warn that without a booking, you will be turned away. Booking is not required at Towthorpe and Strensall. Book online at york.gov.uk/HazelCourtHWRC. YorkMix | City of York Council

♻️ Have Your Say on York's Recycling Bins - City of York Council is seeking residents' views on recycling bin services as part of an ongoing survey. Whether you're happy with your current setup or have been frustrated by the system, this is your chance to feed in. York Press

💼 BUSINESS

🏠 Student Lettings Agency Expands into York - National student lettings agency loc8me has expanded into York - its seventh northern city after Newcastle, Durham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Hull. Managing more than 3,500 properties nationally and around 8,000 bedrooms, the Loughborough-based firm will oversee York properties from its Leeds office, serving a city with more than 22,000 students. Founder Raffaele Russo said York was "an important city in the region's student market" that valued "quality, consistency and trust." Property Industry Eye

🎺 Brass Instrument Maker Near York Acquired by National Group - Smith-Watkins, the world-renowned trumpet and cornet maker manufactured near York, has been acquired by Somerset-based John Packer Musical Instruments. Smith-Watkins instruments are used by leading orchestras, military bands and professional musicians globally. The company's founder Dr Richard Smith said he was confident the acquisition would help Smith-Watkins "thrive and continue to reach new audiences." Crucially, manufacturing will remain at its current facility near York. York Press | Business Daily

#johnpacker #smithwatkins | John Packer Musical Instruments

Latest news: John Packer Musical Instruments welcomes renowned Smith-Watkins brand to growing stable. John Packer Musical Instruments, one of the UK’s largest specialist brass and woodwind retailers and manufacturers, has announced the acquisition of Richard Smith Musical Instruments – the company behind the famous Smith-Watkins brand. Smith-Watkins instruments will continue to be manufactured at their facility near York. Alongside Rath Trombones in Yorkshire and Taylor Trumpets in Norfolk, the acquisition further strengthens UK brass instrument manufacturing. Full story: https://lnkd.in/eEyrja_7 #JohnPacker #SmithWatkins

LinkedInJohn Packer Musical Instruments

🏥 COMMUNITY

🥚 York Firm Avove Donates Easter Eggs and Essentials to Hospitals - York-based utilities contractor Avove has donated Easter eggs and essential items to patients in York's hospitals ahead of the bank holiday weekend. Yahoo News

#easter #eastergiving #givingback #communitygiving #makingadifference #avove | Avove Utilities

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗴𝗴𝘀-𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 🐣🐰 Over the last week, colleagues from across our frameworks demonstrated how much kindness and generosity sits at the heart of our business. From offices to project sites, our teams collaborated to donate Easter eggs and treats to children and families who are spending the holiday in hospital, hospices or care settings. 🐣 Our Severn Trent teams supported Children First in Derby, Coventry Haven Women’s and Children’s Aid and Telford Hospital 🐣 Our United Utilities and Enabling Functions teams donated to Derian House Children’s Hospice 🐣 Our Northern Powergrid colleagues supporting York Children’s Hospital, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Martin House Children’s Hospice, Daniel Yorath House and Adel Beck Children’s Secure Unit 🐣 Our NWG (Northumbrian Water Group) colleagues donated to the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) A huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped make this Easter a little brighter for children and families in our communities. #Easter #EasterGiving #GivingBack #CommunityGiving #MakingaDifference #Avove

LinkedInAvove Utilities

👐 York's New Carers Strategy Goes to Executive - A new citywide Carers Strategy - developed with local carers, support groups and partner organisations - will go before the City of York Council's executive on 14 April. The strategy focuses on four areas: improving support, better identification of carers, improving their health and wellbeing, and strengthening joint working across health, education and social care. In York, thousands of people provide unpaid care, yet only around one third are known to services. City of York Council

Cllr Lucy Steels Walshaw said: "It's important that we work together to support the people who provide care - we help make York a place where carers can live well, not just in their caring role, but in their whole lives."

🏘️ Luke Charters MP Visits Community First Yorkshire - York Outer MP Luke Charters visited Community First Yorkshire - the county's leading voluntary and community sector support charity -this week. Charters, who has been a vocal champion of civil society and community organisations since his election in 2024, praised the "turbo rockets" that organisations receive when given the right support and tools to thrive. Gazette & Herald

🛣️ TRANSPORT

🔧 York's £16.5 Million Highways Plan Confirmed - City of York Council has confirmed a £16.5 million highways maintenance programme for 2026, a 50% increase on last year, covering roads, footpaths, cycle routes, street lighting and drainage across the city. The funding combines £8.8 million from the council's February budget with additional money from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, confirmed last week. Work is already underway, prioritising proactive resurfacing to prolong road life rather than reactive pothole repairs. Cllr Kate Ravilious said an estimated £100 million would be needed to bring York's highways fully up to standard, but the four-year Combined Authority settlement now allows for a multi-year programme. York Press | Highways News

🎨 ARTS & CULTURE

🎭 Snow White Panto Gets CBBC and CBeebies Star - York Theatre Royal has announced that Richard David-Caine - one half of the comedy duo Cook and Line from CBeebies' BAFTA-winning show Swashbuckle and a regular face in CBBC's Horrible Histories - will play the villainous Herman the Henchman in this year's pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He joins returning York panto favourites Tommy Carmichael and Robin Simpson. The show runs 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 at York Theatre Royal, with family tickets available with savings of up to £61. YorkMix

🏉 SPORT

🐎 What's On This Easter Saturday - Grimthorpe Gold Cup at Sheriff Hutton - One of point-to-point racing's four national classic races takes place just north of York this Easter Saturday, as the Middleton Hunt hosts its annual meeting at Mick Easterby's course at Sheriff Hutton. The historic Lord Grimthorpe's Gold Cup, run over four miles and generously sponsored by Lord Grimthorpe and the Beckett family, is the headline event. Gates open Saturday; it's a brilliant day out for racing fans and families alike. York Press