THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, January 28, 2025

🌅 Morning, York! It's Tuesday and Storm Chandra's gift to us is flood warnings and ice - cheers for that! But we've got wine bar protests, new football talent coming through, community wins, and SO much more happening around our brilliant city. ☕ Brew ready? Right, let's get stuck in! 💪

🌊 BREAKING: STORM CHANDRA AFTERMATH

Three flood warnings remain after A64 closure; Storm Chandra has left York with three active flood warnings following yesterday's heavy rainfall. River Ouse levels at the Viking Recorder station stood at 3.11 metres at 5:30am and rising - above the 3-metre threshold where property flooding is expected. Additional flood warnings affect Stamford Bridge's Weir Caravan Park and Kexby Bridge, plus Buttercrambe Mill. A yellow Met Office ice warning remains in force until 10am today. York Press

🔥 TOP STORIES

🍷 Wine bar bans all Labour councillors; Plonkers Wine Bar has banned all 24 Labour councillors from entering the premises in protest over what owner Mike Wood calls a "stealth tax" on hospitality. The High Ousegate venue is objecting to the council's one-year pavement licensing system rather than following national guidelines of two years, forcing businesses to pay and reapply twice as often. The move comes amid mounting pressure on hospitality venues facing 15% business rate increases, Brexit staffing issues, and rising operational costs.

“Its small independent businesses like Plonkers that make York what it is, which is why we’re making a stand,” Mr Wood said.

🚨 Serial abuser guilty of stalking and strangulation; York domestic abuser Paul Thackray, 35, admitted to stalking and non-fatal strangulation just one day before his scheduled jury trial at York Crown Court. The serial offender with a history of violence against partners made over 100 phone calls and left 30 voice messages to his latest victim. Thackray, now of Corporation Road in Darlington, faces another prison sentence when he appears before Judge Sean Morris for sentencing.

🔵 Police defend actions after MP brands them "disgraceful"; North Yorkshire Police are standing by their officer's conduct after Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake branded their actions "utterly disgraceful." The controversy erupted when officers visiting a home following an attempted burglary in November noted a "strong odour" and "sticky, dirty surfaces" before submitting a Public Protection Notification for children at the property. Gazette & Herald

🏟️ "No place poses such a heavy burden on neighbours"; A Nelsons Yard resident has written to York Press expressing frustration over Spark York's extended stay, describing it as posing "such a heavy burden on immediate neighbours in terms of noise and smell." .

🏛️ COUNCIL & SERVICES

📚 £600k library cuts still unresolved; Negotiations continue over controversial £600,000 cuts to York Explore's contract to run the city's 15 libraries and archives. The cuts, originally approved in the council's 2024-25 budget as two £300,000 tranches, remain contentious as York Explore maintains the authority cannot unilaterally impose changes requiring mutual agreement. The organization employs over 80 people and has managed York's libraries since 2014.

💪 Two-tier leisure membership system proposed; North Yorkshire Council executives will consider replacing over 70 legacy membership types with a simplified two-tier system on February 3rd. The proposals would eliminate fixed-term contracts in favour of pay-as-you-go and flexible monthly direct debit options. Membership choices would include "swim only" packages or premium memberships offering multi-site access, virtual healthcare, and on-demand fitness classes. | Yorkshire Press

⚠️ SAFETY & CRIME

🔔 Lidl issues "do not eat" warning; Lidl has issued a "do not eat" warning for Snaktastic Multigrain Bites Sour Cream & Black Pepper after discovering foil contamination presenting a choking hazard. The affected 150g multipacks (6x25g) have batch code 207 345 and best before date of April 4, 2026. Customers should return products to any Lidl store for a full refund. Contact Lidl Customer Care on 0203 966 5566 or customer.care@lidl.co.uk for more information.

🔪 Knife amnesty bins part of countywide initiative York's knife amnesty bins at Morrisons car park in Acomb and Kingsway North in Clifton are part of a countywide initiative that has already collected over 1,800 bladed items in Harrogate alone. The scheme was made possible by a £15,000+ grant from York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning, with 20 additional bins installed across North Yorkshire. While knife crime in North Yorkshire is 2.5 times lower than the national average, officials say there's no room for complacency.

📚 EDUCATION

⚽ Football academy launched at Askham Bryan College; Askham Bryan College has launched an Under-18s Football Academy in partnership with Harrogate Town AFC, starting in the 2026/27 season. Students studying sport, uniformed public services, or motorsport can combine their education with professional coaching, competitive league participation, and training with professional coaches.

Ben Atkinson, head of sport at the college, says the partnership "bridges classroom learning with real-world applications." Dave Riley, operations director at Harrogate Town AFC, praised the college's "state-of-the-art facilities" as "a perfect fit to expand our youth development pathway."

👥 COMMUNITY

🎨 Children shape Glen Gardens play area redesign; Pupils from Tang Hall Primary School and Heworth Primary School have helped design the new Glen Gardens play area following consultation led by City of York Council. The chosen design features climbing structures, wobble beams, monkey bars, timber agility trails, and inclusive equipment including wheelchair-accessible roundabouts and supportive swing seats. Work is scheduled for completion in spring 2026 as part of the council's £925,000 parks investment programme. | City Council

💬 Girls' Club York hosts fertility awareness event; The Girls' Club York is hosting an "In Conversation" event on February 5th featuring fertility awareness educator Bethany D'Inverno, who will discuss women's health and cycle tracking. The event runs 7-9pm at Patch York, The Bonding Warehouse on Terry Avenue. Tickets include a drink on arrival and a free day of coworking at Patch.

⚽ SPORT

⚽ York City Ladies claim crucial away victory; York City Ladies earned a vital 1-0 win at Chester le Street Women to pull further clear of the relegation zone in the FA Women's National League Division One North. Dan Jackson's side dominated throughout, with Sophie Bentley, Ruby Watt, and Rosie Bell all going close before the breakthrough. The victory bounces City back from last weekend's Adobe Women's FA Cup exit at Chatham Town.

🏉 Heworth bow out of Challenge Cup with pride; Heworth ARLFC produced a commendable performance despite a 66-0 Betfred Challenge Cup defeat to Championship side Keighley Cougars in front of a sizeable Elmpark Way crowd. Full-back Fraser West earned Man of the Match for the hosts. The Villagers now have six weeks to prepare for their National Premier League return against fierce rivals York Acorn on March 7.

🚣 York rowers claim triple victory; York City Rowing Club returned from the Tyne New Year's Head with three impressive wins against 201 crews from across England. The 13-strong York contingent faced windy conditions on the tidal River Tyne stretch from Scotswood to Newburn. YO1 Radio

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🎹 Jools Holland bringing orchestra to York; Musical maestro Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are bringing their 2026 tour to York. The multi-platinum selling star will deliver an evening of blues, swing, boogie woogie and ska, backed by his full orchestra known for musical virtuosity and joyful spontaneity. UK soul legend Roachford joins as special guest for every tour date, following his 1988 chart-topping hit "Cuddly Toy." Full tour details and tickets available soon.

🏪 BUSINESS

🎁 North Yorkshire producer shortlisted for Gift awards; Charlie & Ivy's, based in Thixendale, North Yorkshire, has three products shortlisted in the Food and Drink category of the 43rd Gift of the Year awards. The Bread Dipper Tasting Set, Date Night Feast Box, and Truffle Oil with Black Summer Truffle & Sea Salt are made using cold-pressed rapeseed oil produced on the Yorkshire Wolds by parent company Breckenholme. Jennie Palmer, marketing manager, said the company is "highly delighted and very proud" that three out of 14 shortlisted products are theirs, distributed to gift lovers throughout the UK.