The York Brief ⏰ Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Yorktoberfest returns to racecourse, Restaurant Week top ten revealed, Lendal Bridge closing for £1.9m repairs, new art exhibition in Acomb, Palace Cinema gets new owners + half-term deals
☀️ Morning, York! Midweek already – where does the time go? Cheers for reading. Share with mates who’d fancy it.
📰 YORKSHIRE NEWS
🏆 Yorkshire Post Business Awards shortlists revealed - Judges have praised the “exceptional quality” of entries for the Yorkshire Post Business Awards 2025. Shortlists announced with winners to be revealed at the gala ceremony. - Awards news – Yorkshire Post
“I’m looking to a fantastic evening next month celebrating the achievements of our regional businesses and the people who make them what they are.”
💼 Girls need to be encouraged to ask questions - Made Smarter roundtable focuses on education and encouraging girls in STEM subjects. Discussion highlights importance of creating questioning culture in schools. - Education debate – Yorkshire Post
🍺 Tan Hill Inn landladies reunite - Landladies of Yorkshire’s most famous pub – the Tan Hill Inn – have reunited. Britain’s highest pub brings former managers together for special occasion. - Reunion story – Yorkshire Post
🌳 Nunnington Hall celebrates Yorkshire woodlands - Yorkshire’s beautiful woodlands celebrated in stunning photos at Nunnington Hall. National Trust property showcases county’s natural heritage. - Woodland photos – Yorkshire Post
⚖️ CRIME
🔪 Murder appeal renewed one year on - Detectives have renewed their appeal one year after Luqman Ishfaq was stabbed to death. Police seeking fresh information about the unsolved killing. - Murder appeal – Yorkshire Post
👮 Two more arrested over Ian Watkins death - Two more men have been arrested in connection with the death of former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins. Investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding his death. - Arrests made – Yorkshire Post
🚗 Watch: Police stop driver with knife, bat and drugs - Footage shows officers stopping a disqualified driver and discovering a knife, bat and Class A drugs. Video captures the moment police made the alarming find. - Police stop – Yorkshire Post
🍕 RETAIL & BUSINESS
🍽️ Pizza Hut among 68 restaurants due to close - Pizza Hut features on a list of 68 restaurants facing closure. The chain struggles amid tough trading conditions across the hospitality sector. - Closures list – York Press
👔 Matalan appoints HMS UK head as new chief executive - Fashion retailer Matalan has named the head of HMS UK as its new chief executive. Leadership change for the high street chain as it navigates retail challenges. - Business appointment – Retail Bulletin
🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT
💰 Leeds Council to sell cemetery lodge - Leeds City Council plans to sell a cemetery lodge to raise funds and cut costs. Cash-strapped authority looking at asset disposal to balance books. - Council sale – Yorkshire Post
😰 Traders say regeneration works left them ‘suicidal’ - Business owners say regeneration works have devastated their livelihoods and left them feeling suicidal. Prolonged disruption takes severe toll on traders. - Trader distress – Yorkshire Post
🚂 TRANSPORT
🚉 Rail passengers warned of disruption - Upgrade work continues at Dewsbury and Batley stations with warnings of ongoing disruption. Passengers advised to check before travelling. - Rail disruption – Yorkshire Post
🌉 Lendal Bridge closing for £1.9m repair works - The 150-year-old bridge will shut for eight weeks from April 2026 for essential maintenance. Corrosion and deterioration mean the Grade II-listed structure needs urgent work including metalwork repair and re-waterproofing. Footways will remain open for pedestrians during closure. - Bridge closure – Gazette & Herald
🎨 ARTS & CULTURE
🖼️ Vibrant new art exhibition rises at Bluebird Bakery - A colourful new art exhibition has launched at Bluebird Bakery in Acomb. The Rise exhibition showcases local talent in the popular community cafe space. - Art show – York Press
🎬 Palace Cinema in Malton gets new owners - The popular Palace Cinema in Malton has been taken over by new owners. The venue’s future secured with fresh leadership for the beloved local cinema. - Cinema news – York Press
🍺 EVENTS & FESTIVALS
🎪 Yorktoberfest rolls out the barrels again - York’s Bavarian beer festival is back this weekend for its fifth year. Yorktoberfest returns to York Racecourse on Friday and Saturday with lederhosen, oompah band The Bavarian Strollers, and drag artist Velma Celli. Some tickets still available for Friday and Saturday sessions. - Festival details – Gazette & Herald
🍴 Fat Hippo leads Restaurant Week top ten - York Restaurant Week’s top ten eateries have been revealed with Fat Hippo leading the pack. The two-week dining bonanza runs until October 26 with over 100 venues offering deals between £5 and £30. Download free vouchers at yorkrestaurantweek.co.uk. - Top ten list – York Press
🎖️ REMEMBRANCE
🪖 Royal Yorkshire Regiment remembers at York Minster - The Royal Yorkshire Regiment held a remembrance service at York Minster. The historic cathedral hosted the solemn ceremony honouring fallen servicemembers. - Remembrance service – York Press
📅 WHAT’S ON
🎭 This week in York - YorkMix rounds up what’s happening Monday 20 to Friday 24 October. Events, shows, and activities across the city. - Weekly guide – YorkMix
🎫 Seven half-price half-term offers - YorkMix vouchers offering seven half-price deals for half-term. Family-friendly discounts to help budgets stretch further. - Half-term deals – YorkMix
That’s your Wednesday sorted. Stay dry out there! Got a tip? Please add to the comments below.
