THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, 16 December 2025
A heritage brickmaker rescued at the eleventh hour, a by-election that could topple Labour’s grip on York, flood alerts lingering across the region and history made by York City Ladies.
👋 Morning York!
Today’s edition is one of those where everything matters. From a last-minute business rescue that saved local jobs, to a council by-election that could redraw York’s political map, plus flooding concerns, fresh investment, cultural moments lighting up Walmgate, and sporting history in the making - here’s what’s shaping the city right now.
🌤️ TODAY’S WEATHER
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers through the day. Highs around 8–9°C, with light to moderate winds. Damp underfoot in places, especially near rivers — take care on commutes and school runs.
🔥 THE BIG STORIES
🧱 Heritage brickmaker snatched from jaws of administration - York Handmade Brick was hours from administration when private equity firm 4D Capital Partners swooped in to rescue the Alne-based company and its 20+ jobs. The heritage brickmaker - famous for supplying 90,000 bricks to The Shard and winning the 2022 RIBA Stirling Prize - blamed soaring gas costs and National Insurance hikes for pushing them to the edge. Fifth-generation brickmaker Guy Armitage stays on as MD to keep crafting those premium bricks that grace London’s skyline and Cambridge college libraries. 👉 Yorkshire Post | York Press
🗳️ Five-way scrap for council seat that could end Labour’s reign - January 15’s by-election isn’t just filling a vacant seat - it’s a battle for control of York Council. Labour clings to a single-seat majority (24 of 47), and losing Heworth would force them into minority rule. The candidates: Anna Perrett (Labour, former councillor making a comeback), Ian Eiloart (Lib Dem, volunteering at Tang Hall Library), Emma Dolben (Conservative, SEND teaching assistant), John Crispin-Bailey (Reform UK, railway worker and parish councillor), and Ben Ffrench (Green, 25-year-old support worker living off Melrosegate with wife Alice). 👉 YorkMix
💧 Flood alerts still live on Derwent and Rye - River levels remain stubbornly high with flooding possible across the Lower and Upper Derwent catchments - Stamford Bridge, Pocklington, Wressle, Wilberfoss and Elvington all on watch. River Rye catchment also on alert. Keep eyes on low-lying land and riverside roads, and don’t be a hero driving through standing water. 👉 GOV.UK | YorkMix
💰York and North Yorkshire scores £4m to train next generation of builders Mayor David Skaith announced the region’s share of a £33m Yorkshire-wide construction training bonanza aimed at clearing college waiting lists and churning out qualified brickies, carpenters, and plasterers. Leeds College of Building gets particular focus, with 3,500 prospective builders across Yorkshire currently locked out due to lack of college capacity. 👉 Yorkshire Post
💼 BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT
🚗 Ray Chapman breaks 55-year Volvo monopoly with Chinese car bet - The family-run dealership is opening York’s first Chery showroom this January - its first new franchise since 1969. The state-of-the-art Malton Road facility (formerly D&J Woodcock’s garage) will flog Tiggo 7, 8, and 9 SUVs while keeping the Volvo operation running strong. Managing director Duncan Chapman reckons the competitively-priced Chinese brand complements rather than cannibalizes their Swedish partnership, with orders opening January 2 ahead of the late-January launch. 👉 Motor Trader
🏢 Massive Coney Street building hits market after aparthotel dream dies - The whopping Grade II listed pile at 48 Coney Street -TK Maxx’s old digs - is up for grabs with planning permission already sorted for restaurant downstairs and 64-key aparthotel upstairs. Four floors plus basement, frontages on both Market Street and Coney Street, listed building consent for internal alterations and an extra roof storey. Selling agent Landwood Group says hotel operators are already circling. Rateable value: £277,500. 👉 York Press
💰 £3.2m investment package drops on Eastfield including Phoenix Park upgrade - Major cash injection announced for Eastfield area projects, with Phoenix Park scheme among the beneficiaries. 👉 York Press
🎨 COMMUNITY & CULTURE
🐝 Glowing bees swarm Walmgate in mesmerizing street art takeover - Pocklington artist Gemma Wood has unleashed “Swarmgate” - dozens of resin-cast bees lit by smart solar lights that form a luminous swarm down Walmgate from Paver Lane to the bar walls. The installation celebrates community spirit while nodding to York’s Anglo-Scandinavian beekeeping heritage and the old tradition of “telling the bees” (sharing village news to keep them content). Funded through the Vibrant & Sustainable High Street Fund and led by University of York and York Creatives, it’s the showpiece finale of the Walmgate Reframed project. 👉 YorkMix
“We hope everyone can see first-hand the passion people here have for art: from colourful seamstresses to prolific painters who’ve lived in Walmgate for decades, creativity runs deep in this community, and it truly deserves to be celebrated.”
🎁 York College smashes hamper donation record with 40+ boxes for Island charity - Staff and students packed more festive hampers than any previous year, with A Level Law and Philosophy students joining international exchange kids from Norway and Switzerland to wrap and display the goods. The Island charity will distribute them to struggling York families over Christmas - a lifeline when fuel and food prices keep climbing. 👉 York Press | Harrogate Informer
🍽️ York Street Kitchen gearing up for proper traditional Christmas dinner - The community organization is prepping to serve up a classic festive feast for those who need it most this December. 👉 Gazette and Herald
⚡Harry Potter actor sends surprise message to York carol concert - A message from someone in the wizarding world landed at a York carol concert, delighting the festive audience. 👉 York Press
🎓 EDUCATION & SUSTAINABILITY
🔋University of York plotting energy cycling plans for Sport Village The campus is pushing forward with sustainable energy initiatives at the Sport Village, building on its geothermal ambitions. 👉 University of York | York Press
⚽ SPORT
🏆York City Ladies make club history with FA Cup fourth round breakthrough The Minsterbelles are through to uncharted territory after thrashing Altrincham 3-0 in Sunday’s third round. Captain Katie Astle opened the scoring before Ruby Watt doubled the lead within 60 seconds, then Katie Varley headed home in the 90th minute to seal York’s first-ever fourth round appearance. Now they’re in tonight’s draw alongside Women’s Super League giants - imagine York hosting Arsenal or Chelsea at the LNER Community Stadium. 👉 York Press ] One Football
📅 City’s Sutton clash gets calendar shuffle - The National League fixture against Sutton United has been brought forward - new date TBC. 👉 York Press
🏃 York-born triathlete plotting performance breakthrough Sam Dickinson is eyeing his next competitive leap in the punishing swim-bike-run discipline. 👉 York Press
From boardrooms and ballot boxes to glowing street art and cup dreams, today shows York at its most dynamic - resilient, creative, and never short of drama. Thanks for reading The York Brief. Stay dry, stay curious, and we’ll be back with more tomorrow.
Thanks for reading The York Brief! This post is public so feel free to share it.
