The York Brief ⏰Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Flood warnings persist in York as river levels stay high, mayoral funding boosts men’s mental health, a key by-election looms, local works disrupt travel, and culture & business.
✨ Good morning, York
Flood alerts are still flashing after the weekend washout, and the city’s bracing for another day of high river levels, closed paths and soggy commutes. But amid the disruption comes a major investment into men’s mental health, a key by-election taking shape, and a full slate of culture, community and business updates to start your week. Here’s what matters today.
🌤️ WEATHER SUMMARY
A cold, grey start for York with lingering surface water and a risk of light showers through the morning. Flood alerts stay in place as river levels remain high. Highs of 6–7°C, dipping to 2–3°C tonight. Keep waterproofs close - and avoid riverside routes.
📰 NEWS
🌊 Flood Warning Active for River Ouse - The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for riverside properties in York, with river levels expected to cause flooding today. Properties on King’s Staith and riverside areas from Lendal Bridge to Millennium Bridge are most at risk. The Foss Barrier is operating and flood gates have been closed. Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. Read more at Yorkshire Post.
🧠 Mayor Invests in Men’s Mental Health - Mayor David Skaith has committed £715,000 to improving men’s mental health alongside £2.75m for rural and marginalised groups to access sport and activity. Skaith, whose father’s death led him to struggle with mental health, said: “Suicide is a leading cause of death in men under 50 – it’s a national tragedy.” The programmes will tackle barriers to sport and improve mental health support in male-dominated and isolated jobs including farming, emergency services and construction. Professor Paul Galdas from the University of York chairs the Men’s Mental Health Taskforce delivering the initiative. Read more at Keighley News.
“Movember are known across the world for their life-saving work, tackling the crisis that is too many men dying too young.”
🗳️ Liberal Democrats Select Heworth By-Election Candidate - The Liberal Democrats have selected their candidate for the crucial Heworth ward by-election expected in mid-January. The by-election follows Labour Councillor Ben Burton’s resignation, which leaves Labour’s council majority at risk. Labour currently holds 24 seats to the Liberal Democrats’ 19, giving them a majority of just one. If Labour loses, they’ll lose their overall majority and could face difficulties setting next year’s budget. Read more at York Press.
🚧 December Road Closures for Essential Works - City of York Council has announced temporary traffic restrictions throughout December for footway resurfacing and water supply works. Keble Close in Bishopthorpe closes daily 7:30am-4pm from December 8-12 for footway resurfacing. Dale Street closes 8am today (December 9) until 6pm tomorrow for water supply upgrades. Naburn Lane in Deighton faces the longest closure from 8am December 10 until 8pm December 16, with signed diversions via A19 York Road. Emergency service access will be maintained throughout all closures. Read more at Yorkshire Post.
🅿️ Formal Review Launched into Car Park Charges - City of York Council has appointed independent consultants Arup to conduct a formal review of Bishopthorpe Road parking charges after traders claimed customers were being priced out. The Bishopthorpe Road Traders’ Association said they’ve waited over seven months for substantive work on the review following increases earlier this year. Charges were initially hiked from 80p to £4.85 per hour before being revised to £3 per hour in June following backlash. Read more at York Press.
🚨 CRIME
⚠️ Man Back in Custody After Police Hunt - Finlay Drinkhill, 20, is back in custody after being recalled to prison by HM Prison & Probation Service. North Yorkshire Police thanked the public for information that led to his arrest. Drinkhill, who had links to York, was sentenced for fraud in August but was recalled to custody for breaching licence conditions by failing to attend pre-arranged home visits and displaying poor behaviour. Read more at Gazette & Herald.
🎭 ARTS & CULTURE
🎨 Japanese Art Exhibition Announced - York Art Gallery has revealed full details for its highly anticipated exhibition ‘Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print’, opening February 27, 2026. Over 100 works from renowned artists including Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige and Kitagawa Utamaro will create a stunning display. The star attraction is Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’, one of the world’s most recognisable artworks, on loan from Maidstone Museum. Contemporary works by Laura Boswell and Nana Shiomi will also feature. A Japanese dry garden will be installed in York Museum Gardens alongside the exhibition. Read more at York Press.
🎭 Kara Tointon in Constant Wife at Theatre Royal - The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Constant Wife will play York Theatre Royal from January 26-31, 2026. The sparkling comedy stars Strictly Come Dancing winner Kara Tointon as Constance in Laura Wade’s fresh adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s 1926 classic. Directed by RSC co-artistic director Tamara Harvey, the production features original music by jazz artist Jamie Cullum. Set in 1927, it follows Constance, a seemingly perfect wife whose husband is as devoted to her as to his mistress – her best friend. Read more at York Theatre Royal.
📖 Rare King James Bible Sells for £23,000 at York Auction - A 400-year-old first edition King James Bible has been sold at auction in York for £23,000 – more than triple its estimated value of £2,000-£4,000. The rare “He” version, printed in 1611, was sold by Duggleby Stephenson auctioneers and attracted international interest before being purchased by Norfolk-based antiquarian book dealer Simon Finch. The “He” designation comes from a printing error in the book of Ruth that read “and he went into the city” rather than “she”. Read more at York Press.
🎓 EDUCATION
📚 BSL Enrichment Classes at York St John - York St John University is offering British Sign Language enrichment classes as part of its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The initiative supports the university’s diverse community by providing opportunities for students and staff to learn BSL. The classes are part of York St John’s broader efforts to support disabled students and promote an inclusive campus environment. Read more at York St John University.
🚶 Copmanthorpe Primary Tops City in Walk Challenge - Copmanthorpe Primary School has been named York’s top performer in the WOW Walk to School Challenge, ranking first in the city and 44th in England. The Living Streets initiative encourages pupils to walk, wheel, cycle or use ‘Park and Stride’ for school journeys. The school recorded impressive October results: 4,323 walks or wheels, 534 cycling trips, 571 scooter journeys, and 1,142 ‘Park and Stride’ journeys. Headteacher Luke Dancer praised the “fantastic enthusiasm” from pupils and credited Mrs Corah for leading the programme “with real passion and commitment.” WOW Pupil Ambassadors played an active role by awarding badges and raising awareness of environmental and health benefits. Read more at York Press.
🏗️ DEVELOPMENT
🏗️ Room2 Hotel Construction Well Underway - Work on the £41.75m room2 hotel in Piccadilly is progressing well following archaeological discoveries of Roman and Anglo-Saxon artefacts. The 116-room sustainable hotel, set to open in spring 2027, will feature kitchens in guest rooms, meeting spaces, a gym and Winnie’s Cafe and Bar. The net-zero property is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification. Read more at York Press.
🔒 Stone Roses Bar Plans Safety Improvements - The Stone Roses Bar on King Street has lodged plans to improve fire safety and accessibility in the historic building. Proposed works include widening the main entrance to meet modern evacuation standards, extending external steps clad in red quarry tiles, and creating a new accessible toilet. The venue’s owners say the alterations will “prioritise and improve fire safety by providing safe evacuation routes that meet current standards, as well as improved accessibility for customers.” The mid-19th century building, first recorded in 1861, traded as The Grapes Inn before rebranding as The Stone Roses Bar in 2018. Read more at YorkMix.
👞 Watkinsons Shoes to Downsize on Goodramgate - One of York’s best-known shops is set for a major transformation as Watkinsons Shoes plans to downsize in response to changing retail trends. Plans submitted to City of York Council would reduce the retail space at the Grade II-listed 18th century building on Goodramgate, remove the distinctive modern shopfront, and convert a 1920s warehouse at the rear into a three-bedroom home. Read more at YorkMix.
🏘️ PROPERTY
🏠 Victorian Home Near Bootham Up for Auction - A five-bedroom Victorian mid-terrace on Queen Annes Road, just off Bootham, is being offered for sale by auction with a guide price of £490,000. The freehold property spans three storeys with four en-suite bedrooms and four bathrooms total. Period features include tall ceilings and ornamental architectural details throughout the well-presented rooms. Read more at York Press.
🍺 Former Murton Arms Pub Available for Rent - The former Murton Arms pub in the village of Murton on the outskirts of York has come on the market for rent at £18,500 per annum. Listed by McBeath Property Consultancy as part-furnished, the ground floor venue offers approximately 1,705 square feet including a main bar area, two side bars, snug room, kitchen, storeroom and beer cellar. Read more at York Press.
💼 BUSINESS
🗺️ Indie York Launches Biggest Map Yet - Indie York has launched the 11th edition of its independent business map featuring over 260 businesses – the largest ever produced. The launch comes ahead of the organisation’s 10th anniversary in January 2026. Founded in 2016 by a small group led by Johnny Hayes, the not-for-profit association champions York’s independent sector. This year’s map introduces a new charity spotlight feature, with York Against Cancer selected as the inaugural featured charity for 2025/26. The charity provides care and support for cancer patients and their families across York, North and East Yorkshire. The map is available free at participating businesses, the Visit York Information Centre, hotels, and online as an interactive digital version. Read more at YorkMix.
⚽ SPORT
🎯 Moorside Bar A Dominates Moors Darts League - Moorside Bar A asserted their dominance at the top of the Moors Darts League with a resounding eight-two victory over Coach House. The match at Coach House saw Bry Cook open scoring for the home side, but Moorside controlled proceedings with Alfie Walker, Shaun Suffield and Mike Bateman contributing to six consecutive leg victories. Royal Oak A maintained pressure on the leaders with a seven-three win over Sun Inn B, with standout performances from Kev Fairclough, Sam Myers, Adam Durrant and Sam Farrow. Moorside Bar B shared points with The Peacock in a five-five draw, while Sun Inn A’s seven-three victory at New Inn propelled them into a tie for third place. Buck Inn comprehensively defeated Royal Oak B eight-two. Read more at York Press.
That’s York today - rising waters, big decisions and plenty happening across the city. If you spot something we should be covering, hit reply and let us know. Stay dry out there, and see you in the next edition.
