THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, November 12, 2025

🌤️ Good Day, York!

Right then, let’s crack on! Wednesday’s bringing cloudy skies with the odd shower, so keep your brolly close. From football glory to record-breaking charity fundraising and a major crypto criminal case - here’s everything happening in our fair city today.

Today’s Weather:
Mostly cloudy with occasional showers. High of 10°C, low of 7°C. Humidity around 88%, light winds from the southwest

📰 NEWS

🛒 Lidl opens tomorrow with freebies and prizes - Lidl’s newest 16,300 sq ft store at Monks Cross Retail Park opens Thursday with free food sampling, prizes, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8am. The discount supermarket will create up to 40 new jobs and features an in-store bakery, baby-changing facilities, and seven EV chargers. More at The Business Desk and Yahoo News

🌊 River Foss among England’s most polluted - A University of York study reveals that North Yorkshire rivers, including the Foss, Ouse, and Derwent, are among England’s worst for “forever chemicals” pollution, with average contamination levels of 990 nanograms per litre. The toxic TFA chemicals cannot be removed by current water treatment systems. Read more at University of York and Innovation News Network

🏛️ Richard Webb backed as new chief executive - Richard Webb, currently corporate director for health and adult services at North Yorkshire Council, has been put forward to become York Council’s new chief executive on a salary of nearly £178,000. The council is returning to the chief executive model after scrapping the role in 2020. Learn more at YorkMix and Gazette & Herald

💷 National debate on two-child benefit cap intensifies - Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hinted the controversial two-child benefit cap could be scrapped in the November 26 Budget. The policy currently limits Universal Credit payments to the first two children, affecting thousands of families and contributing to child poverty across Yorkshire. Details at Yorkshire Post

💰 Tourist tax could raise £43m for region - New research by York St John University reveals a European-style tourism tax could raise up to £43 million annually for York and North Yorkshire. A £2 per night charge on accommodation would generate funds to reinvest in local infrastructure and transport networks. Read more at Yorkshire Post

🎰 UK gambling regulations continue tightening Important changes continue rolling out for online gambling in the UK. From wagering limits on slots (£2 for 18-24 year olds, £5 for over-25s) to mandatory deposit limits coming June 2026, regulators are cracking down on gambling-related harm. The Autumn Budget on 26 November could bring more changes for UK-licensed operators. Worth knowing if you enjoy a flutter! YorkMix

🚨 CRIME

💰 Cryptoqueen jailed after York arrest - Chinese fraudster Zhimin Qian has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison after being arrested in York in April 2024, where police discovered her hiding with encrypted devices containing millions in Bitcoin. The 47-year-old masterminded a £5.5 billion Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 128,000 victims in China before fleeing to the UK. Learn more at Yorkshire Post and LBC

🚗 Vehicle stolen in Clifton - North Yorkshire Police are investigating a vehicle theft that occurred around noon on Friday, November 7 in Ratcliffe Street, Clifton. Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage. Details at Gazette & Herald

🚨 TRANSPORT

🚂 Rail bosses urge level crossing caution ahead of December changes Network Rail is reminding Yorkies using the East Coast Main Line to stay alert at level crossings ahead of major timetable changes launching 14 December. The new schedule brings more trains, 60,000 extra weekly seats, and quicker journeys - but also means trains passing through crossings at different times than locals are used to. Network Rail

“With timetable changes coming into effect this December, we urge everyone – whether driving, cycling, or walking – to take extra care and to stop, look, listen and obey the signals every single time. Waiting a few minutes is infinitely better than risking everything.”

🎨 COMMUNITY & EVENTS

🎆 Fireworks event raises record amount for charity - Saturday’s bonfire and fireworks spectacular at Rawcliffe Country Park was the biggest yet, with organiser Bruce Reid estimating donations to the Fire Fighters Charity will be “significantly” more than last year’s £20,000. Around 4,000 tickets were sold for the event featuring two displays. Details at YorkMix and Yahoo News

🐕 Battle Flatts Vet Clinic launches campaign to help dogs - Battle Flatts Veterinary Clinic in Stamford Bridge has launched a campaign throughout November and December to raise awareness of canine arthritis and promote early detection. The clinic is encouraging dog owners to use DogMA, a free mobility monitoring app developed by the University of Liverpool, to spot often-missed symptoms of arthritis in their pets. Gazette & Herald

♿ MySight York hosts inclusion workshop - MySight York is partnering with Living 4 Moments to deliver a free Inclusion Taster Workshop on December 2 at York St John University. The session will cover accessible social media, sighted guiding techniques, and lipreading awareness to help make York more inclusive. Find out more at Yorkshire Times

💧 Help available for Yorkshire Water bills If you’re struggling with water bills, there’s support out there. Yorkshire Water offers multiple schemes including WaterSupport (which caps bills at £421 for low-income households), debt support through their Resolve scheme, and Community Trust awards of up to £750 for those with arrears. With bills set to increase, 100,000 more households will benefit from financial support between 2025-2030. Yorkshire Water

🎵 Young Composers Award launches - The National Centre for Early Music has launched its Young Composers Award 2025 in association with BBC Radio 3. Young composers up to age 25 can submit works for two violins, cello and harpsichord, with winners performed by The Brook Street Band and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Learn more at Young Composers Award

🎤 James Morrison announces York tour date - Brit Award-winner James Morrison will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut album with a UK tour, playing York Barbican on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 14 at 10am. Details at Ticketmaster and Gigs and Tours

💆 LIFESTYLE

🎵 Bannatyne Spa York launches sound healing treatment Bannatyne Spa York is introducing the Ashmira Sonic Energy Holistic Body Treatment - a luxurious therapy combining sound healing with Chinese clay massage. The 90-minute treatment uses warm sound bowls, pink clay, and Yin essential oils to “harmonise body, mind and spirit.” Available now at their York Business Park location. Bannatyne Spa

🎄 WHAT’S ON

🎅 Pocklington Christmas lights switch-on times announced Fancy a festive jaunt to Pocklington? The town’s Christmas Festival and lights switch-on details are now confirmed. Expect an artisan indoor market, Christmas café, and face painting alongside the main event. Perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit! Pocklington Town Council

🎨 Potter’s Fair returns to Southlands Methodist Church York’s pottery community is gathering again at Southlands Methodist Church on Bishopthorpe Road. The venue, which houses South Bank Studios’ artist community, regularly hosts ceramic fairs featuring local potters and artists. Entry is free with homemade refreshments available. Southlands Methodist Church

🚂 Northern Belle luxury train visits York Christmas Markets The magnificent 1930s luxury train Northern Belle is bringing visitors to York’s Christmas Markets on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th November. Passengers from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Manchester will enjoy brunch on the journey before spending time at York’s festive markets, then a five-course dinner on the return trip. It’s a proper treat! Northern Belle

⚽ SPORT

⚽ City demolish Rochdale in stunning display - Josh Stones and Ollie Pearce both bagged braces as York City thumped promotion rivals Rochdale 4-1 at the LNER Community Stadium. The Minstermen climbed to within three points of the National League summit with an explosive second-half performance that saw them score three goals in just 14 minutes. Details at Yahoo Sports and York City FC

🏉 Knights sign Aussie prop for Super League debut - York Knights have bolstered their forward pack for their maiden Super League campaign by signing 21-year-old Queensland Cup prop Ryan Jackson. The State of Origin youth representative joins from Central Queensland Capras and becomes the Knights’ tenth signing for 2026. Read more at Serious About Rugby League and Yorkshire Post

That’s your Wednesday wrapped!

Grab that umbrella for those showers today, and if you’re near Monks Cross, pop by the new Lidl for some opening day bargains!