The York Brief - Weekend Wrap ⏰ Saturday, October 25, 2025

Morning, York.

Autumn’s properly here now - the leaves are turning, the evenings are drawing in, and there’s that unmistakable chill in the air. But the city’s as busy as ever, with big decisions shaping our future and plenty happening around town.

From business votes to housing upgrades, here’s what you need to know.

Saturday: Early light rain (midnight-6am) clearing to sunny intervals. Temperatures 6-9°C. Clear, dry evening cooling to 4-7°C.

Sunday: Clear, crisp morning (4-7°C) turning cloudy. Light rain from 3pm onwards (rising to 80% chance). Temperatures 8-10°C.

💼 Business & Economy

✅ York BID Secures Third Term with Overwhelming Support - York’s Business Improvement District has been renewed for another five years after 91.4% of voting members backed the business plan for 2026-2031. The BID funds street rangers, taxi marshals, and city centre events—and will continue its work improving York’s trading environment. - Read more at YorkMix

🏛️ Historic New York Club to Become Holiday Apartments - The former New York Club and Institute on Blossom Street is being converted into 14 holiday let apartments after facing construction challenges. The Grade II-listed building, which housed one of York’s oldest working men’s clubs for 90 years, is now 90% complete with flats in both the original Georgian building and a new rear block. - Read more at YorkMix

🍽️ Food & Dining

Giggling Squid Thai Restaurant Now Open on Lendal - The award-winning Thai restaurant chain opened its York location in August, transforming the historic former Banks Music Room - Britain’s oldest music shop building dating back to 1756. The two-floor venue seats 213 guests and features signature floral interiors, banquette seating, and authentic Thai cuisine cooked by expert Thai chefs. Menu highlights include Salt & Pepper Squid, Massaman Curry, and Pad Thai, with Samrub Sets from £12.95. Read more at YorkMix

🏉 Sports & Recreation

🏉 York Rugby League Kicks Off Performance Pathways Program - York RLFC has launched the second year of its Performance Pathways program, aimed at developing young rugby talent in the city. - Read more at York RLFC

🎨 Arts & Culture

🎭 Little Vikings Launch Free Snickelways Trail for Families - A new free trail exploring York’s quirky street names and historic snickelways has launched, perfect for families looking to discover the city’s hidden corners. - Read more at Make It York

🎤 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Returns - The popular comedy night continues its run with another evening of stand-up at a York venue. - Read more at Visit York

🎵 Irish Singer-Songwriter Fionn Regan Plays Stockton-on-the-Forest - Mercury Prize-nominated folk artist Fionn Regan performed at Stockton-on-the-Forest Village Hall on October 17, bringing his atmospheric sound to an intimate York setting. The Co. Wicklow singer-songwriter, who has collaborated with Bon Iver and Cillian Murphy, played material from his 2024 album O Avalanche. - Read more at The Crescent York

🌿 Health & Science

🪴 University of York Study Links Houseplants to Human Health Benefits - Researchers have found new evidence that houseplants may have measurable positive effects on human wellbeing and air quality. - Read more at University of York

“The integration of indoor plants into building design could help us meet Net Zero goals, improving both the energy efficiency of buildings and the wellbeing of their occupants. Our findings could well help policymakers and designers make informed decisions that create healthier, safer living environments for future generations.”

🏥 Community

🏪 St Leonard’s Hospice Opens New Store at Clifton Moor - The hospice charity has expanded its retail presence with a major new store at Clifton Moor, helping fund vital end-of-life care services. - Read more at YO1 Radio

🏛️ Local Government & Planning

💚 62 York Homes Get Major Green Upgrades - Residents at Alex Lyon House in Tang Hall and Honeysuckle House in Dringhouses have received energy-efficient upgrades including air source heat pumps, high-efficiency radiators, and solar panels—expected to save around £300 per year on fuel bills. The £1.6 million project was funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Net Zero Fund. - Read more at Gazette & Herald

🏗️ Maltkiln: 3,000-Home Village Plan Approved - North Yorkshire Council’s executive committee has approved a development plan for Maltkiln, a proposed 3,000-home village centred around Cattal railway station between York and Harrogate. The plan will next be debated by the full council in November, though councillors warned the development won’t happen overnight. - Read more at Gazette & Herald

🚗 Council Approves Changes to ResPark Process - City of York Council has approved modifications to how residents apply for and manage parking permits under the ResPark scheme. - Read more at York Press

📋 Latest Planning Applications Submitted to York Council - New proposals include signage for Rosa’s Thai on Coney Street and Hanro Limited on Piccadilly, 400 solar panels at Yearsley Swimming Baths, a crown reduction of a Poplar tree on Wenlock Terrace, internal alterations at properties on Tanner Row and Micklegate, and fibre cable installations under the Electronic Communications Code. - Read more from Yahoo News

🚧 Poppleton Main Street to Close for Roadworks - Main Street in Poppleton will be temporarily closed for essential maintenance work, affecting traffic flow in the village. - Read more at York Press

🚫 Parking Restrictions Planned for Osbaldwick - Double yellow lines and clearways will be introduced on Osbaldwick Link Road, Osbaldwick Village, Osbaldwick Lane junction, and Murton Way to tackle verge parking and traffic issues, particularly around St Thomas’ Church during weddings and funerals. The measures aim to improve bus access and pedestrian safety, though local councillor Mark Warters has vowed to oppose the changes, advocating for urban clearways instead. - Read more at YorkMix

🏡 Property

🏠 Victorian Townhouse on Fulford Road Listed for £1.45 Million - One of York’s finest Victorian townhouses has hit the market, featuring five bedrooms, a pool/games room with steam room function, rooftop terrace with views across York including York Minster, and an outdoor kitchen. The property has been thoughtfully upgraded and extended while maintaining character features including restored Minton tiled floors and classic leaded glass windows. Located near Fulford School’s catchment area with convenient access to the city centre. - Read more at Gazette & Herald

⚖️ Crime & Courts

🚫 Man Banned from York Bars After Unprovoked Attack - Robert David Willis, 30, has been banned from every pub and bar in York for a year and barred from the city centre between 8pm and 8am after breaking a student’s nose in an unprovoked attack at the Duncombe Place taxi rank. York magistrates saw CCTV of the attack, which ended with Willis laughing. - Read more at Gazette & Herald

🎵 What’s On? 🎉 Events Around York This Weekend

🎶 York Record Fair Returns to Racecourse - One of the UK’s biggest record fairs returns to York Racecourse on Saturday, November 1, from 10am to 5pm, featuring over 50 sellers with 150 tables of vinyl—around 150,000 records spanning all genres. Admission is £2 on the door, free for under-16s, with free parking available. - Read more at Gazette & Herald

🌳 Treemendous at Coppergate Centre (Saturday) - Experience an unforgettable encounter with giant 9ft-tall walking tree creatures bringing Halloween woodland magic to the city centre. This free, family-friendly, immersive event features performances at 2pm, 3:15pm, and 4:30pm on Saturday, October 25.
📍 Coppergate Centre, 12 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9WY

🍽️ York Restaurant Week (Last Chance!) - This weekend is your final opportunity to enjoy York Restaurant Week 2025! Over 100 eateries across York city centre are offering delicious dining deals priced between £5 and £30. Perfect for exploring York’s culinary scene with friends and family.
📍 Various locations across York city centre

🎭 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club - Three top professional comedians take the stage for an evening of stand-up comedy. - Tickets available
📍 York Barbican | 🕗 8:00pm - 10:30pm Saturday

🚂 Flying Scotsman at North Yorkshire Moors Railway - As part of Railway 200 celebrations, see the legendary No. 60103 Flying Scotsman and replica steam locomotive Locomotion No. 1 in action.
📍 North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Grosmont Station & Pickering Station
More info at NYMR

💃 Day Club York - Spooky Celebration (Over 30s) - A daytime clubbing experience especially for the over 30s who love music, dancing and being social—running from 4pm to 8pm on Saturday, so you’ll be home by 9pm!
📍 Circuit York

🎃 Adult Fright Night at Web Adventure Park - Who says trick-or-treating is just for kids? Enjoy ghoulish games, carnival rides, a zombie showdown, and more—no jump scares, just party mayhem!
📍 Web Adventure Park, Wigginton Road, York YO32 2RH

🎃 Fawlty Towers Weekend

Weekend with Basil, Sybil and Manuel—what could possibly go wrong?
📍 Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel | 📅 Saturday - Sunday | 🕑 2:00pm - 11:00am

That’s your York Brief for Saturday, October 25, 2025. Seventeen stories covering the city’s latest news, events, and developments. Enjoy your weekend in York!

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