THE YORK BRIEF ⏰Thursday, November 6, 2025

Morning, York!

November’s well and truly here - darker mornings, grey skies, and that proper autumnal chill in the air. But the city’s not slowing down. Film festival fever has arrived, our historic buildings are making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and there’s plenty happening from the courts to the Christmas markets. We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know this Thursday.

☁️ Thursday Weather:
Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain—highs of 17°C with light winds 8-18mph. Keep that brolly handy! Read more at Met Office / Meteored.

💷 HERITAGE & CULTURE

🏛️ York launches £50m bid to save crumbling historic buildings – City leaders have approved a 10-year Heritage Programme to attract investment for York’s deteriorating historic assets, including the Yorkshire Museum and Castle Museum which need £22m for roof repairs alone. Medieval timber-framed buildings and city collections face risks from leaks, decay and rising temperatures. Read more at YorkMix / YO1 Radio.

“The council’s investing £250,000 upfront with hopes the programme becomes self-sufficient in two years. “It feels as if they will remain intact forever, however these buildings are more fragile than they look,” says Chief Strategy Officer Claire Foale.

🎬 Aesthetica Film Festival 2025 kicks off across York today – The BAFTA-qualifying festival celebrates its 15th anniversary with 300+ films screening until November 9, turning York into an international hub for cinema, comedy, music, VR and gaming. Delegates from Armenia, Brazil, China, Japan and Mexico join filmmakers at 15 venues citywide, with the digital programme running until November 30. Industry giants including BBC Films, Film4, Aardman and Ridley Scott Associates are bringing masterclasses to the historic city. Read more at Great British Life

🚨 CRIME

👮 Malton teenager charged with race hate crimes – Ryan Damien Flintham, 19, of Castlegate, Malton, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with race hate offences and assaulting police. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

👤 Police search for Ryan McBurney, 30, after serious assault – North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of McBurney in connection with a serious assault. Anyone with information should contact police on 101. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🏠 Burglar Luke Ellerby jailed for Tesco Express raid – A burglar has been sentenced to prison after breaking into a Tesco Express store in York. Read more at York Press.

👴 House raider stole York widower’s wife’s jewellery – A heartless thief broke into a grieving widower’s York home and stole his late wife’s precious jewellery, leaving the victim devastated. Read more at York Press.

🚧 TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE

🚉 York Station Gateway roadworks extended until mid-December – The £25.7m Station Gateway project continues with work on Queen Street and Station Road running until December 19. Recent progress includes realignment of traffic, opening of public spaces, and installation of drainage and utilities. Buses continue to serve the station throughout construction. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🚗 Part of Haxby Road set to close for roadworks – Sections of Haxby Road in York will be closed for essential roadworks. Diversions will be in place. Full Schedule at City of York Website.

🎭 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

🎄 Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland: Win free ice skating session – Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York from November 14 to January 4, 2026. The North of England’s largest outdoor ice rink (975sqm) features a 30ft Christmas tree, funfair, Santa’s Grotto and The Chalet café. YorkMix is hosting a special preview evening on November 13 with the Christmas tree lights switch-on and free skating – answer their competition question to enter! Read more at YorkMix.

🎄 York Christmas Market to open later each day – St Nicholas Fair will extend its opening hours this festive season, giving shoppers more time to browse the wooden chalets and festive treats. Read more at York Press.

🎵 Chanticleer Singers perform Remembrance concert in Malton – The popular choir will mark Remembrance with a special concert featuring poignant wartime music. Updates at York Press.

🍽️ FOOD & DRINK

🍛 Bombay Spice York featured in best curry house top ten – The popular York restaurant has been recognised nationally in a prestigious curry house competition, putting the city’s dining scene in the spotlight. Read more at York Press.

🎄 Free Christmas meal at Greene King pubs across York – Greene King is offering complimentary festive meals at participating York pubs as part of their community initiative this Christmas. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

💼 BUSINESS & ECONOMY

📦 Evri announces Christmas recruitment ambitions in York – The delivery giant is hiring seasonal workers across York to meet festive demand, offering temporary positions in the run-up to Christmas. Read more at York Press.

🧬 Cizzle Biotechnology makes deal with major UK laboratory – The York-based cancer detection company has secured a significant partnership with a leading UK lab, advancing its early detection technology. Read more at York Press.

🏨 Pioneering room2 York ‘hometel’ set to open in 2027 – A innovative new accommodation concept combining hotel and apartment-style living is coming to York, promising sustainable, design-led spaces. Read more at York Press.

🏪 Asda unveils £2 million upgrade to Harrogate superstore – The supermarket chain is investing heavily in refurbishing its Harrogate branch with improved facilities and layout. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🏥 HEALTH & WELLBEING

🏥 York hospital trust paid £11m in maternity claims – York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has paid out millions in maternity-related compensation claims, raising questions about patient safety. Read more at York Press.

🚭 York’s smoking rates drop to one of the lowest in England – The city has seen a dramatic fall in smoking prevalence, now ranking among the healthiest areas in the country thanks to public health initiatives. Read more at City of York Council.

⚽ SPORT

⚽ York City vs Gateshead – Live coverage – Follow all the action as the Minstermen take on Gateshead. Check York Press for live updates throughout the match. Read more at York Press.

⚽ New women’s walking football sessions launch in York – A new initiative brings walking football to women across York, offering a slower-paced version of the beautiful game for all ages and abilities. Read more at York Press.

🏘️ COMMUNITY

🏫 St Paul’s Nursery in Holgate wants past pupils to get in touch – The long-standing nursery is reaching out to alumni as part of anniversary celebrations and wants to hear from former pupils. Read more at York Press.

🚇 Free travel for armed forces personnel on buses in York – York bus operators are offering complimentary travel to serving military members in recognition of their service. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🎗️ ‘We shall remember them’ – Remembrance events across York – Services and ceremonies are taking place across the city this week to honour those who served. Get the Schedule at Gazette & Herald.

💰 Bannatyne Health Club & Spa York raises cash for charity – Members and staff at the popular fitness centre have raised funds for good causes through sponsored activities. Read more at York Press.

💰 York consultancy raises money for Dementia Forward – A local business has supported the dementia charity through fundraising efforts. Read more at York Press.

📡 Making Connections: MC networking group launched in York – A new professional networking initiative brings York business leaders together for collaboration and support. Read more at York Press.

📺 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

📺 Channel 4 films with York Outer MP about Haxby antisocial behaviour – Labour MP Luke Charters is working with Channel 4 on coverage of ongoing efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour in Haxby, following his meeting with the Government Minister for Policing. The area has seen increased police presence and dispersal orders after reports of youth-related trouble. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🔪 Bridlington woman says she faced alleged knifeman on LNER train – Dayna Arnold from Bridlington describes coming face-to-face with the alleged attacker during the mass stabbing on a London-bound train on November 1. “I still don’t know why he spared me,” she said. Eleven people were injured in the attack, with LNER staff member Samir Zitouni remaining in critical condition after heroically protecting passengers. Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder. Read more at Gazette & Herald.

🍁 York St John University marks Armistice Day – The university community gathered to observe the two-minute silence and pay respects to fallen service personnel. Read more at York St John University.

🔍 ALSO IN THE NEWS

⛽ Cheapest fuel stations around York this week – Petrol and diesel prices across the city compared to help motorists find the best deals. Read more at York Press.

🚗 York Council plans double yellow lines on 126 roads – Controversial parking restrictions are being considered for more than 100 streets across the city, sparking debate among residents. Read more at York Press.

🎨 Locker & Space York reports ‘brain rot’ at Halloween – The creative venue’s Halloween event explored contemporary digital culture and social media effects. Read more at York Press.

🍁 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

🎭 Aesthetica Film Festival – 300+ films screening across 15 York venues until Sunday November 9. Tickets from £7.50, York residents save 25%. Get Your Tickets Tickets www.asff.co.uk/tickets

🎄 Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – Opens November 14 at York Designer Outlet. Ice skating sessions from 10:15am daily. Book ahead at www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com

💬 GOT A STORY? Hit reply with your York news tips and we’ll share them in tomorrow’s Brief.

That’s your Thursday sorted, York! Stay dry out there! ☁️