THE YORK BRIEF - WEEKEND WRAP UP ⏰ December 13 - 14 , 2025

Morning York! 👋
It’s been another big week in our city - with major regeneration plans moving forward, community voices shaping planning decisions, local businesses and charities stepping up, and York’s sporting and creative talent making headlines. As the Christmas season gathers pace, there’s no shortage of reasons to wrap up warm and get involved. Here’s everything you need to know heading into the weekend.

🌤️ YOUR WEEKEND WEATHER

Saturday (Today): Rain likely with 70% chance of showers, highs of 10°C. Winds 15-28mph. Grab your waterproofs for the Christmas Market!

Sunday: More showers expected (70% chance), 11°C with breezy conditions up to 32mph. Proper December weather – wrap up warm!
Met Office York

📰 NEWS

🏰 Castle Car Park To Be Removed Under £10m Tower Plan - The £10m Castle and Eye of York scheme approved Thursday will replace the 298-space car park with gardens and play area next spring, but Jewish community leaders say the 1190 Memorial Space is “wholly inadequate” for commemorating pogrom victims. Six councillors voted in favour, two against, two abstained. BBC | Yorkshire Post

🏗️ Plans Lodged for Hotel, Shops and Almost 1,000 Homes in £2bn York Central - Developers have submitted plans for 999 homes, a 213-bed hotel, Innovation Hub, and new park behind York Railway Station in one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration projects. Decision expected spring 2026 with up to 6,500 jobs promised. BBC | Insider Media

“Residents benefit from private outdoor spaces, including Juliette balconies, rooftop terraces and courtyard gardens, and the scheme has a direct relationship with the new Central Park. The material approach draws from York’s architectural character, using robust and carefully detailed brickwork to create a contemporary and durable identity.”

🍺 York Researchers Launch No-Low Alcohol Map - University of York researchers have created a map of 32+ York venues offering alcohol-free options, with three suggested routes including a “Sober Stroll” and “York Wall Walk.” Perfect timing for Dry January! University of York

🌾 North Yorkshire Named Food System Model for UK - New framework positions North Yorkshire as the “engine room” of UK food and national template for fixing broken food systems. Despite £3bn food business contribution, 61% of adults are overweight and 14% of households face food insecurity. University of York

“This place-based approach will provide a template for other UK regions who believe in transformative food system change and it is fantastic to see North Yorkshire showing UK leadership.”

🌳 Extension to York’s St Nicks Environment Centre Approved - An extension to the St Nicholas Field environmental centre off Rawdon Avenue has been approved by City of York Council planners. The popular community green space will see expanded facilities to better serve visitors and environmental education programs. Gazette & Herald

💚 Greens Select Candidate for Heworth By-Election - The Green Party has selected support worker Ben Ffrench to stand in the upcoming Heworth council by-election. The seat became vacant following recent council changes, and the election will be a test of local political sentiment in this York ward. York Press

🏢 BUSINESS

🏆 York Duo Named Among Britain’s Top 100 Business Leaders - Matt and Amy Halliwell from Yorkshire Profiles laser cutting business in Hessay named among Britain’s Great 100 Manufacturing Leaders for their community-first approach including York RLFC sponsorship and food bank support. “If a business is doing well but the community around it isn’t, something’s wrong,” says Matthew. YorkMix

💻 York’s Indie Tech Scene Builds Remote Careers - York’s indie studios, micro SaaS founders and solo consultancies are quietly building sustainable remote careers serving national clients from spare rooms and small co-working spaces. The city’s blend of history, tourism and education creates steady demand without forcing founders into a single niche. YorkMix

🚨 CRIME

🚔 Police Arrest 35 in 12 Days for Drink and Drug Driving - North Yorkshire Police’s Christmas crackdown has resulted in 35 arrests since December 1st (19 drink, 16 drug driving). Officers warn many fall foul of being over the limit the morning after or days later with drugs. YorkMix | This is the Coast.

🚗 Driver Faces £1,200 Bill for Blue Badge Misuse - Sara Knaggs, 39, of Acomb, fined £1,200 total after parking on Stonebow yellow lines using an expired Blue Badge belonging to a relative. She was also abusive to the parking enforcement officer who spotted the two-year-expired badge. York Press

👥 COMMUNITY

💇 York Teaching Assistant Braves Shave for “One in a Million” Girl - Laura Taylor at Scarcroft Primary shaved her blue shoulder-length hair raising £5,500 for four-year-old Autumn Boyle receiving chemotherapy for ultra-rare HIES syndrome. The brave shave inspired four pupils to run a mile daily until Christmas Eve, raising £800 more. York Press

🌳 York School Library Gets Magical Reading Tree - Scarcroft Primary now has a spectacular lifelike tree in the middle of its Victorian library, named after beloved volunteer Jill Waterson who died in 2023. One pupil says: “I love the tree because it casts a shadow. It’s a cosy place to read. It feels safe.” YorkMix

🎆 York Firework Display Raises Over £40k for Charity - The annual firework display at Rawcliffe Country Park has raised a massive £41,936.51 for the Fire Fighters Charity! Retired firefighter Bruce Reid and serving firefighter Terrance Greg handed over the cheque outside York Minster on December 8th. The pair have now raised more than £188,000 for the charity since Covid from proceeds from the popular November 8th event. Bruce, who retired from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue after 36 years in 2020, called it “probably one of the best organised bonfire/fireworks display events in the north of the country.” Gazette & Herald

🎨 ARTS & CULTURE

✨ New Illuminated Bee Artwork Buzzes into Walmgate - “Swarmgate” by artist Gemma Wood features solar-powered illuminated resin bees on flats in Huby Court, celebrating Anglo-Scandinavian beekeeping heritage. The two-month installation launched Thursday as part of the Walmgate Reframed project. Gazette & Herald

🗺️ Indie York Celebrates Independent Business Scene - Indie York’s directory and map now celebrates over 290 independent shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries – up from 30 when founded after the 2015 floods. 65% of York’s businesses are independently run. Indie York | York Press

🏘️ PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

⛏️ Decision on Quarry Near Selby Deferred Amid Concerns - Darrington Quarries’ plan to extract 90,000 tonnes yearly for 14 years near Hensall deferred after resident Richard Kendall requested soil heaps moved and help with new driveway access. Councillors agreed to work with the company on solutions. York Press

🏃 SPORT

🥊 York Boxing Stars Prepare for Major Weekend Fights - Leo Atang (18) flies to Ghana for December 20th fight while Brad Casey (20) boxes in Leeds – both from Legion’s Boxing Gym Dunnington. Atang, dubbed “the next Anthony Joshua” by Eddie Hearn, is a five-time national champion now signed with Matchroom Boxing. Yahoo Sports

⚽ York City Face FA Trophy Giant-Killing Test at Clitheroe - Gary Elphick wants York City “fearless” as they travel to Northern Premier League side Clitheroe (Saturday 3pm) for FA Trophy third round. The hosts are on a seven-match unbeaten run and their greatest cup run ever. York Press

🎨 York City FC Teams Up with Artist Lucy Pittaway - Lucy Pittaway’s “The Minstermen” artwork features her signature sheep in York City colours at York Minster, now available as prints, canvases and merchandise. The collaboration is personal – Lucy’s father Willie Maddren was a Middlesbrough legend. Yahoo Sports | York City FC

🎄 WHAT’S ON IN YORK THIS WEEKEND?

SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER:

❄️ York Christmas Market 85% Yorkshire traders in alpine chalets on Parliament Street. Daily 10:30am-7pm until December 21. Visit York

🎄 York Minster Christmas Tree Festival 70 decorated trees fill the Nave with prayer trees for your messages. Throughout the day, included in general admission. York Museums Trust

🎨 York Zine Fest Free festival with loads of stalls showcasing very cool zines and independent publications. The Crescent, 11am-3pm. YorkMix

🎸 Cock Sparrer + Special Guests Legendary punk band’s only UK headline show this year. York Barbican, 7pm. YorkMix

🎭 When Robins Appear Heart-warming festive show co-created with young people exploring big feelings around change and friendship. York Explore Library, 11am & 2pm. Ages 7-11. YorkMix

⛸️ Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland 20th anniversary! Ice rink at York Designer Outlet with funfair and Santa’s Grotto. Daily 9:30am-January 4. YorkMix

⚽ York City vs Clitheroe – FA Trophy The Minstermen travel to Lancashire for third round tie. Kick-off 3pm at The Loom Loft Stadium. York Press

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER:

🎅 York’s Annual Community Carol Concert Shepherd Brass Band, school choirs, and special guests for an afternoon of Christmas cheer. York Barbican, 2pm. YorkMix

🎄 Sheriff Hutton Christmas Market Last community market of 2025 with Easingwold Town Band, 50+ stalls, mulled wine, and market café. 10:30am-1:30pm. YorkMix

🌱 York Vegan Christmas Festival Yorkshire’s biggest vegan extravaganza with 50+ stalls, world food, cakes, clothing, and healthy treats. York Railway Institute, 10:30am-4:30pm. YorkMix

🎬 Craft Cinema Club: Die Hard Craft while watching the ultimate Christmas action film with lights on, plus Maker’s Market running during and after. SPARK:York, from 11:30am. YorkMix

🎪 Cinderella & Sleeping Beauty Pantos Grand Opera House’s Cinderella and Theatre Royal’s Sleeping Beauty (with Jennie Dale). Both run through 4 January 2026. York360

Whether you’re exploring York’s independent scene, cheering on local sport, soaking up festive culture or keeping an eye on how the city is changing, this weekend captures what makes York special - resilience, creativity and community. Stay safe in the wet weather, support local where you can, and enjoy everything the city has to offer. We’ll be back with more soon.

The York Brief is compiled from trusted local sources including York Press, Gazette & Herald, YorkMix, and other verified outlets.