THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Good morning, York. It's a day to keep one eye on Sheffield, where 20-year-old Liam Pullen, born and trained in this city, walks down the Crucible steps for the first time this morning, five frames to four down against Chris Wakelin. He came through four qualifying matches just to get there, and the whole city will be watching. Elsewhere: North Yorkshire voted yes to charging 40p for public toilets, York's AI firm Zest Consult has landed six figures to get women's safety technology onto buses, and Yorkshire Water has begun tackling storm overflows across the county. There's also a court conviction in York market, a railway hero laid to rest, and a reminder that the title decider is three days away.

⚽ SPORT

🎱 York's Liam Pullen makes his World Snooker Championship Crucible debut TODAY - match poised at 5-4 - Liam Pullen, 20, from York, steps onto the Crucible floor for the very first time this morning, resuming his first round match against 13th seed Chris Wakelin at 10 am. After the opening session yesterday Wakelin leads 5-4, meaning Pullen needs to turn the match around in today's second session to progress. The best-of-19 first-round tie is still very much alive. This 2026 World Championship is the 50th edition to be held at the Crucible, and Pullen has spoken openly of his dream to eventually play the UK Championship in front of his home crowd at York's Barbican. Today is the start of that journey. YorkMix | Yorkshire Post

💼 BUSINESS & TECH

🤖 York AI firm Zest Consult lands £100k to develop bus safety technology for women - York-based AI consultancy Zest Consult has secured a £100,000 loan from NPIF II - BEF Smaller Loans, managed by Business Enterprise Fund as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. Founded in 2020 by software engineer Geoff Hoyle, Zest was born out of an Innovate UK project to develop AI for CCTV during the pandemic. It has since evolved into a product-led business working with Transport for London, Cardiff City Council, DASA, Airbus and Oracle. Its flagship current project aims to deploy AI models on buses that can detect violent or threatening behaviour against women and girls — alerting drivers in real time or triggering an automatic message. Zest has submitted a proposal to TfL to roll out the technology. The Business Desk | Insider Media

#vawg #communitysafety #saferstreets #publicsafety #cctv #nighttimeeconomy #ons | Zest Consult

Better data. Better safeguarding. Better protection. This is how Zest is contributing to the national VAWG mission. How Zest’s Zentinel Safeguard Aligns With the ONS VAWG Priorities: Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most urgent and complex challenges across the UK. The latest ONS update highlights just how wide the evidence gaps still are — from domestic abuse and sexual victimisation to harassment, child abuse, and young people’s attitudes towards gender‑based violence. While the ONS continues to strengthen data collection and understanding, at Zest, we are stepping forward with practical, tech‑driven solutions that support this national effort. Zest’s AI product, Zentinel Safeguard, is designed to help organisations identify, monitor, and respond to safeguarding concerns more effectively. It aligns directly with several of the ONS’s highlighted needs: ✅ Better data visibility The ONS stresses the need for clearer, more consistent data across domestic abuse, harassment, and child abuse. Zentinel Safeguard helps organisations surface patterns and risks earlier, supporting safer environments. ✅ Improved reporting pathways With the ONS redeveloping survey questions to better capture lived experiences, Zentinel Safeguard complements this by giving organisations tools to capture concerns in real time — not years later. ✅ Support for young people’s safety As the ONS pilots the Young People’s Safety Survey (YPSS), Zentinel Safeguard provides a proactive layer of protection within schools, youth services, and community settings. ✅ A trauma‑informed approach The ONS emphasises the importance of understanding survivors’ experiences. Zentinel Safeguard is built to support sensitive, responsible handling of safeguarding information. Key ONS Data Points That Highlight the Need ▪️ New domestic abuse questions were added to the Crime Survey in April 2023 to improve measurement. ▪️ The first harassment module was introduced in 2022 to capture both sexual and non‑sexual harassment. ▪️ A new Young People’s Safety Survey is being piloted to replace the Children’s Crime Survey. ▪️ Sexual victimisation questions are being redeveloped for the first time since 2004. ▪️ A child abuse prevalence survey is in phase two, with pilots planned for 2024–25. Why This Matters The ONS is clear: we need better data, better tools, and better understanding to protect women and girls. Zest’s Zentinel Safeguard is a powerful example of how innovation can support that mission — turning insight into action and helping organisations create safer spaces for everyone. 📨 Contact us for more information https://lnkd.in/eNpNDkrq #VAWG #CommunitySafety #SaferStreets #PublicSafety #CCTV #NightTimeEconomy #ONS

LinkedInZest Consult

🎨 Creative Business Skills Academy launches in York - free course for creative founders - Aesthetica magazine and York St John University have launched the Creative Business Skills Academy 2026, a free 12-week bootcamp for creative industry founders and freelancers. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between creative talent and commercial sustainability, covering business development, digital marketing, entrepreneurship and international growth for those working in York's creative sectors. The application deadline passed on 12 April, suggesting a new cohort is now beginning. York holds one of just 27 UNESCO City of Media Arts designations in the world. Aesthetica director Cherie Federico said the Academy was about "turning creative potential into sustainable businesses." York Press

🏆 Insurance Emporium announces Good Things Happen Awards - York-based specialist insurer The Insurance Emporium - based at Thorpe Underwood near York and the winner of Best Claims Service at the Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Awards 2026 - has announced the launch of its Good Things Happen Awards, a scheme tied to the company's brand values and community spirit. The company, led by CEO Francis Martin, has been one of Yorkshire's most award-laden insurers in recent years, holding Defaqto 5-star ratings across pet, equine, caravan and bicycle insurance and the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. Details on the Good Things Happen Awards categories and how to nominate are available at theinsuranceemporium.co.uk. Gazette & Herald.

⚖️ LAW & ORDER

👊 Serial thief and his mother convicted of brutal assault on lone woman in York market - A serial thief and his mother have been convicted following a sustained and violent attack on a lone woman at York market - an attack YorkMix describes as beating the victim "to a pulp." The pair are due to be sentenced. Further details when available. YorkMix

🏛️ CITY & POLITICS

🚽 North Yorkshire votes YES to 40p public toilet charge - North Yorkshire Council's executive committee voted on Tuesday 21 April to introduce a standard 40p entry fee for public toilets across the county - settling on 40p rather than the 50p originally proposed. The council is responsible for the UK's largest council-run public toilet network: 85 traditional toilet blocks and 8 Changing Places facilities. Of those, 65 are currently free to use. Executive member Cllr Richard Foster said the charges were necessary to fund proper maintenance. Running the network costs around £230,000 in 2025-26. Twenty-eight toilets already have charges in place from previous district councils. Toilets with low footfall or in dilapidated condition may face closure, but only after consultation with local parish and town councils. YorkMix

🚦 42 York Street's face parking restriction changes - transport hearing 28 April - A total of 42 proposals to change existing traffic regulation orders across York, covering double yellow lines and residential parking restrictions, are to be decided at a City of York Council transport hearing on Tuesday, 28 April. A further 43 proposals that received no objections at public consultation are being enacted directly, without a hearing. The proposals respond to reported issues, including vehicles parking on footpaths, obstructing bus routes and endangering pedestrian safety. The council has acknowledged a risk that some approved restrictions may displace problems onto neighbouring streets. Streets in the batch include Ouseburn Avenue, Danebury Drive, Copmanthorpe Lane, Bede Avenue, Field View, Tennyson Avenue, Nelson's Lane, Nidd Grove, Wain's Road, Hunters Way, Crosslands Road, Fordlands Road, Heslington Lane, Acomb Road and Barlow Street, among others across the city. YorkMix | Yahoo News UK

🏗️ Fusion Students' Fishergate York accommodation plan refused - Plans for a new student accommodation block at Fishergate in York have been refused by the City of York Council's planning committee. Planning officers had recommended refusal. The application is the latest in a series of purpose-built student accommodation proposals the council has been weighing as York balances growing demand for student housing against heritage and residential character concerns in the city centre. York Press

🚂 TRANSPORT

🐑 Animals on the line delayed trains out of York - Train services out of York were disrupted on Tuesday when animals got onto the line, causing delays to TransPennine Express services. Affected passengers were advised to check their journeys via the Northern app or National Rail Enquiries. YorkMix | York Press

🗓️ Northern Rail new timetables from Sunday 17 May - York passengers advised to check journeys - Northern Rail has confirmed that new timetables come into effect from Sunday 17 May 2026. The changes are focused on fine-tuning and improving punctuality following the major December 2025 overhaul, with most services keeping the same times. Key changes affecting the York area include minor retiming adjustments on Knaresborough-bound services, standardisation of Sunday Hull-Bridlington-Scarborough services to an hourly pattern, and Sunday connectivity improvements on routes toward the North East and Whitby. Also note: York–Redcar Central services will be replaced by buses on the early and late May Bank Holiday weekends (2–4 May and 23–25 May) due to engineering works. Northern Echo | Northern Rail.

🚧 Double yellow lines proposed for new-build street in Clifton - decision Tuesday 28 April - City of York Council is proposing double yellow lines along Dennings Mews in Clifton, a street where nine new homes recently went on sale, after commuters began parking on the road and blocking access to the properties, to the nearby cycle path, and to a turning area designed for waste collection vehicles. The restrictions are among 42 traffic regulation order decisions heading to a transport hearing on Tuesday, 28 April, to be decided by Labour transport spokesperson Cllr Kate Ravilious. The new homes, off Wigginton Road close to York Hospital and opposite the Crichton Avenue allotments, include private parking for residents. However, an objector has argued the proposals do not go far enough, calling for a loading ban in addition to the yellow lines, and warning that any vehicle stopped on the street will still create hazards for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users negotiating the turning area. York Press

🌿 ENVIRONMENT

🌊 Yorkshire Water begins £2.2m storm overflow work across North Yorkshire - first projects of new £1.5bn programme - Yorkshire Water has started five infrastructure projects across North Yorkshire totalling £2.2 million, marking the first storm overflow reduction work in the county under its new £1.5 billion programme running to 2030. The projects are at Weeton, Wass, Snape, Myton-on-Swale and Great Barugh, where sections of the combined sewer network will be relined to stop groundwater seeping in - reducing the volume of flow in the system and making storm overflow discharges less likely during heavy rainfall. This follows a £180 million investment between 2023 and 2025 that upgraded more than 100 overflows across the region, delivering a 24.5% reduction in storm overflow discharges in 2025. Six further North Yorkshire projects are due to start soon at Acklam, Hebden, Malham, Sheriff Hutton, Bishop Monkton and Skeeby. The wider programme commits to upgrading more than 450 overflows across Yorkshire by 2030. York Press

⚰️ IN MEMORIAM

🚂 Hero of the North Yorkshire rail disaster laid to rest - died of multiple injuries at home, inquest finds - An inquest has recorded that a man described as a hero of the Great Heck rail disaster died of multiple injuries at his home. The 2001 Great Heck disaster near Selby - in which a Land Rover left the M62 and fell onto the East Coast Main Line, triggering a collision between a GNER passenger train and a Freightliner freight train - claimed ten lives and left 82 people injured. It remains the worst rail disaster in Britain of the 21st century. The individual was recognised for his actions either during the rescue operation or in the aftermath of the disaster. The inquest was held by a North Yorkshire coroner. YorkMix

🎭 COMMUNITY

📦 Cher Casey - York's Declutter Queen - hosting event at Impossible York - Cher Casey, the York-based professional organiser and declutter specialist known locally as the Declutter Queen, is hosting a new event at Impossible York. Casey is the California-born founder of The Mindful Organiser, based in York, whose approach focuses on the emotional and psychological dimensions of clutter as well as the practical. Her events, which have previously been held at SoJo Bistro in Acomb, offer practical strategies for decluttering any room, tackling projects of any size, and building systems that actually stick — plus sustainable approaches to donating, rehoming and recycling. She holds a PhD from the University of York's Medieval History of Art department. Event details via Impossible York. Gazette & Herald.

Come see me at York's largest health and wellbeing fair this weekend at York Racecourse. It's my third year at this event and I'm already excited about who I'll meet. I've created a new talk… | Cher Casey, PhD | 10 comments

Come see me at York’s largest health and wellbeing fair this weekend at York Racecourse. It’s my third year at this event and I’m already excited about who I’ll meet. I’ve created a new talk “Decluttering as Self Love: The Body-Mind-Home Connection” which reflects my hands on experience with clients together with my personal decluttering journey. The talk is 3-3:45pm on Saturday ✨ Drop by for inspiration, support, and chatting all things decluttering, organising, productivity, and well-being. I’m also giving away a 3-hour decluttering session, the perfect way to kickstart spring! What you need to know: York Health, Healing & Wellbeing fair Sat and Sun 18-19th 10am-5pm Decluttering talk Sat at 3pm York Racecourse Tickets available at the door, kids go free ❤️ | 10 comments on LinkedIn

LinkedInCher Casey, PhD

🐕 Once-shy rescue dog Jax becomes national flyball champion with Monsters of York - Jax, an 11-year-old Border Collie adopted in November 2019 by York-based dog-walker Julia and her husband Phil from Dogs Trust Leeds, has become a national flyball champion - winning both the British Flyball Championships and the UKFL Flyball Championships as part of York-based team the Monsters of York. When Julia first brought him home, Jax was notably lacking in confidence, anxious in new situations and worried about getting things wrong. Flyball - the high-speed relay sport in which teams of four dogs race over hurdles, trigger a box to release a ball and sprint back to their handler - turned out to be the making of him. " Dogs Trust Leeds is open five days a week - visit their website if you're thinking about rehoming. York Press

💛 IN MEMORY

⚽ Charity football match in memory of Steve Bilton — York Dukes FC vs Malton Old Boys, 25 April - A charity football match in memory of Steve Bilton, the York community figure and FusionPlus Data managing director who passed away in 2023, takes place this Saturday, 25 April at the Young Guns Arena in Tadcaster, kick-off 11 am. The match is between York Dukes FC and Malton Old Boys. All proceeds go to Andy's Man Club, the charity that supports men's mental health and works to break the stigma around men seeking help. Tickets and programme advertising enquiries are available via the event organisers. If you are a man struggling with your mental health, Andy's Man Club holds free weekly peer support sessions - visit andysmanclub.co.uk to find your nearest group. The York Press is carrying a match memory tribute piece to Steve Bilton and the York Dukes community. York Press