THE YORK BRIEF ⏰Tuesday, 18 November 2025
📍 Two arrested after city centre stabbing, taxi driver sought as witness, snow warnings near York, nature recovery map coming, festive trail launches, and visitor levy hopes rise.
🌤️ Good morning, York!
Proper crisp one this morning at 4°C (feels like 2°C with that breeze). Snow’s heading for areas near York boundaries from Wednesday, so dig out those woolly hats!
Today we’ve got a city centre stabbing investigation seeking taxi witnesses, plans for a tourist tax on overnight visitors, and the Goodramgate festive trail launching just in time for Christmas shopping. Plus nature recovery plans, sporting victories, and a charity legend smashing through £200k raised!
Let’s dive in...
Weather Update:
Chilly and breezy today: 4-6°C (feels like 2-3°C), light showers possible, gusts up to 25 mph. Yellow snow warnings from 6am Wednesday to 6pm Thursday for areas near York boundaries – expect 2-5cm at low levels, up to 20cm above 300m. Met Office
Amber UKHSA cold health alert remains through Friday 21 November. Check on vulnerable neighbours! UKHSA Dashboard
🚨 CRIME
🔪 Two arrested after Lady Peckett’s Yard stabbing – taxi driver urgently sought
Two men arrested following early Sunday morning stabbing on Lady Peckett’s Yard off The Stonebow. One remains in hospital in stable condition, the other released on police bail. North Yorkshire Police urgently need the driver and passengers of a dark Toyota Corolla taxi that picked up a fare outside Pizza Hut on Pavement around 12:40am Sunday – they’re witnesses, not suspects. Got doorbell or dashcam footage? Contact Marcus.Furneaux-Harris@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, quote reference 12250216342. Examiner Live and Gazette & Herald
🌳 ENVIRONMENT
🦋 Interactive nature recovery map coming for York - York and North Yorkshire’s interactive habitat map is heading for final approval in January as part of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The plan identifies where to boost nature, capture carbon, and create nature-rich spaces. Residents can help by creating garden ponds and joining monitoring groups. Cllr Jenny Kent: “The opportunities are huge, vital and exciting.” Gazette & Herald
💼 BUSINESS
🏪 £10m+ Aldi development planned for Easingwold - New Aldi store and petrol station coming to York Road, Easingwold as first phase of major development including 166 homes, 60-bed care home, and medical facilities. The 1,228 sqm Aldi will create 50 jobs with 120 parking spaces and 10 EV charging points. Public consultation open until Friday 28 November. Gazette & Herald
📊 Final chance for 2025 business survey - West & North Yorkshire Chamber wants York businesses to complete the final Quarterly Economic Survey of 2025. Results go straight to the Treasury, Bank of England, and media to shape economic policy. Takes just minutes but packs a punch for regional influence! Gazette & Herald
🎗️ New Business Beats Cancer Board Launched - East Riding has launched a new Business Beats Cancer board to coordinate fundraising efforts and support for cancer charities. The initiative brings together local businesses to make a real difference in the fight against cancer. Gazette and Herald.
🏥 Mallorca Stay Up for Grabs in Hospital Auction
York Hospital’s online auction has some cracking prizes, including a stay in Mallorca! The fundraising auction is supporting vital hospital services, so bidders can feel good while potentially bagging themselves a brilliant holiday. Yahoo News
“We’d like to thank all the local businesses and supporters who have generously donated a wonderful array of prizes to the online auction.
🏛️ COUNCIL & POLITICS
💷 Visitor levy hopes rise with devolution reforms - York councillors are eyeing powers to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays as the Government’s devolution bill progresses through Parliament. Research shows a regional levy could raise £43 million annually for York and North Yorkshire. Cllr Anna Baxter hopes it’ll ease housing pressure alongside short-term let regulations. Councillors backed devolution expansion on November 6. Gazette & Herald
👶 EDUCATION & CHILDCARE
🐟 Parents drive improvements at Funfishers Nursery - Parent power has delivered exciting changes at Fishergate’s outstanding-rated Funfishers Nursery and Out of School Club. Consultation results were overwhelmingly positive, leading to improvements driven by family feedback. The nursery serves 172 children aged nine months to 11 years. Gazette & Herald
🎄 WHAT’S ON
✨ Goodramgate festive trail launches - Goodramgate Traders’ Association has launched a festive trail showcasing the historic street’s independent shops, cafés and heritage sites. Perfect for supporting local businesses while soaking up Christmas vibes! YO1 Radio
🎄 York’s festive era officially begins - Uggs are out, churros are everywhere, and Christmas markets have transformed Parliament Street with twinkling lights and mulled wine. Students have embraced the winter uniform of scarves and oversized jumpers while hot chocolate queues stretch across town. York’s cobbled streets and fairy lights create that unbeatable festive magic! The Tab
🐕 Festive pup parties coming to Jalou York - Mingle with up to 50 dogs per session at Jalou York on Micklegate! Festive canine experiences feature Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cockapoos, and Dachshunds with unlimited puppuccinos, Best Dressed Sausage prizes, ball pits, and professional Christmas photos. Dog lovers and owners welcome! Yorkshire Post
🎭 Big Ian smashes £200k charity milestone - Big Ian Donaghy’s 12th “A Night To Remember” at York Barbican has pushed total charity donations past £200,000! November 12’s show featured HUGE, Heather Findlay, and Shed Seven’s Rick Witter (crowned “the new Duke of York”). Early signs suggest this year raised a record sum for St Leonard’s Hospice, Bereaved Children Support York, Accessible Arts & Media, and dementia projects. charleshutchpress
🏫 York Steiner School Stands Firm After ‘Disappointing’ Ofsted Verdict
York Steiner School’s headteacher has expressed disappointment after inspectors gave the independent school a ‘requires improvement’ rating. Tracey Lucas acknowledged the September inspection highlighted areas for development, particularly in phonics training and curriculum sequencing. York Mix
❄️ WEATHER & TRANSPORT
⚠️ Yellow snow warnings issued near York boundaries - Met Office yellow warnings for snow and ice kick in Wednesday 6am through Thursday 6pm for areas just beyond York’s boundaries. Expect 2-5cm at low levels, potentially 15-20cm above 300m as North Sea showers roll inland. Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest days with greatest risk of icy conditions overnight. Gazette & Herald
🚂 LNER disruption cleared after points failure - Monday’s points failure in York caused delays up to 30 minutes but all lines reopened by 2pm. Affected passengers can claim Delay Repay compensation. Gazette & Herald
🏥 HEALTH
🩺 Front Street Surgery Acomb earns ‘outstanding’ for caring - Front Street Surgery scored overall “good” from CQC with an “outstanding” rating for being caring. The Acomb practice also hit 94%+ in the NHS GP Patient Survey 2025 – joint third place in York for patient satisfaction. One patient: “It’s a friendly, helpful surgery – what more do you want?” Gazette & Herald
🎨 ARTS & ACCESSIBILITY
👂 Castle Howard earns deaf awareness stamp - Castle Howard’s 20 staff completed Doncaster Deaf Trust training on d/Deaf culture and communication, earning the official stamp of approval. The historic estate joins 19+ Yorkshire organizations recognized in 2025 and is hosting BSL-interpreted Christmas events including Father Christmas performances and Wizard of Oz experiences. Gazette & Herald
🎭 Theatre Royal’s Festive Double Bill - Theatre Royal is bringing a double dose of Christmas magic this year. The venue has unveiled its festive lineup featuring two seasonal shows designed to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Perfect for families looking to make some Christmas memories!
🎤 Taskmaster Stars Coming to York - Comedy fans, this one’s for you! Taskmaster alumni are set to perform at a York venue, bringing their unique brand of humor to our city. If you loved them on the show, here’s your chance to see them live.
👥 COMMUNITY
🎵 Music Foundation Hits Record Numbers - The Richard Shephard Music Foundation has delivered weekly music lessons to nearly 9,000 Yorkshire children. The foundation reached 8,685 pupils through 34 schools, moving closer to its ambitious target of teaching 10,000 children every week by 2026. Half of their partner schools have over 30% of pupils eligible for free school meals.
🤝 MySight York Tackles Accessibility - MySight York held an inclusion workshop aimed at promoting accessibility across the city. The session brought together community members to discuss practical ways to make York more inclusive for people with visual impairments. York Press.
👼 Local Caregiver Wins National Award - Easingwold’s own Sarah has been honored with the Guardian Angels’ ‘Enriched the Lives of Clients’ award. She was nominated for the incredible care she provided to former Easingwold resident Mary Oliver, who worked for the BBC and later at Bootham School’s music department. Sarah enabled Mary to live a full life after two years of being largely homebound. Gazette and Herald.
🤝 YRK Football Launching Member Card to Connect Community
An inclusive York football group is launching a member card initiative to bridge local businesses and the community through football. YRK Football Group’s card, launching early 2026, will offer exclusive discounts at partner venues including Their long-term goal includes men’s, youth, and ladies’ competitive teams on Saturdays and Sundays, plus midweek recreational sessions. York Mix
🏃 SPORT
⚽ York City Face Clitheroe Challenge - York City have been drawn away to Clitheroe in the FA Trophy third round. The Minstermen will be hoping to navigate this away tie successfully as they continue their cup campaign. Read Update on York Press.
🏓 Coneysthorpe Dominate in Table Tennis League - In Division One action, Coneysthorpe triumphed over Ryedale A with a resounding 8-2 victory in the Ryedale Table Tennis League. Gareth Bryning secured a hat-trick alongside Dylan Pottage, who also netted three times, while Alexander Gosling contributed a single. Elsewhere, Ryedale E delivered a commanding 9-1 performance against Ryedale F, with Scott Ferguson and Dave Gamble each claiming three victories.
🎯 Coach House Finally Break Their Duck - After a tough start to the season, Coach House secured their first Moors League victory with a hard-fought 6-4 darts win over Sun Inn B. Lewis Barraclough, Toby Hebron, Damon Marley, Chris O’Hara, and Dean Parker delivered outstanding singles performances, with Hebron and Matt Cook clinching victory in the pairs. Tim Parkin achieved a remarkable 119 checkout for the home side, but it wasn’t enough to deny Coach House their breakthrough win.
That’s your lot for Tuesday!
Stay warm out there – and if you’re near those boundary areas, keep an eye on those snow warnings from tomorrow morning. Don’t forget to check on your neighbours with that amber cold health alert still in force through Friday.
