THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Weekend Wrap Up - January 24 - 25, 2026

Happy Weekend, York! Blimey, what a week it's been across our fair city. From massive funding wins and justice served, to brewery rescues that restore Yorkshire pride, distilleries doubling production, and rugby league stars coming home - York never stops. There's even controversy brewing over whether you'll soon need 50p to spend a penny. Pour yourself a brew and catch up on everything that went down.

📰 NEWS

🏗️ £22.7m Secured for Major York Student Development; Asset Capital's landed £22.7m from Paragon Bank for 'Peppermill Court' - a 239-bed student housing block on the former Ramsey Drive NHS site. Comes with solar panels, triple glazing, bat boxes, and a mix of standard and accessible rooms. Ready for 2027/28 academic year.

🏛️ York & North Yorkshire Pushes for Greater Powers; The Combined Authority's applying for Established Status - unlocking greater funding flexibility and letting local leaders make decisions instead of Westminster. If successful, we'd be the first rural region to gain it. Decision expected summer 2026.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: "Almost four years ago, the devolution journey began in York and North Yorkshire, and we’ve seen the benefits of that. People with skin in the game, not Westminster, making decisions about how to tackle the challenges in our communities. Today we started the next step of that journey, working with government to unlock more investment, tools, and powers for us to continue making York and North Yorkshire an even better place to live, work, and visit."

💰 Walmgate Revamp Set for £250k Council Boost;Plans to revamp neglected South Walmgate could get £250k funding for heritage trails, public art, pocket parks, new homes and shop improvements. Safety upgrades include closing off dodgy alleyways, with Albert Street getting particular attention. Decision Tuesday, January 27. Gazette & Herald

⚠️ Flood Warnings Issued for River Ouse; River Ouse hit 3.21 metres Thursday with flood warnings active for King's Staith and riverside properties from Lendall Bridge to Millennium Bridge. Environment Agency's operating flood gates and the Foss Barrier. GOV.UK

🏘️ North Yorkshire Council House Rents Set to Rise 4.8%; Council's recommending the maximum 4.8% rent increase to fund improvements and help build 500 new council homes by 2029 at £110m cost. Shared ownership payments also going up 2%. Full council votes next month.

🚽 Public Toilets Could See 40p-50p Charges Across North Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Council's proposing 40p-50p charges for public loos (currently 65 of 93 are free) while underused ones could close. Councillor Keane Duncan's launched a 'free to pee' campaign calling it unacceptable. Goes to committee Wednesday.

🏠 York Council Draws Up Damp and Mould Plans; York Council's proposing zero tolerance on damp and mould following Awaab's Law - named after a toddler who died from mould exposure in 2020. Policy includes de-humidifiers, ventilation systems, fuel vouchers to keep homes at 18-21°C, and staff training to spot problems. Goes to decision session Tuesday.

🚨 CRIME

⚖️ Rogue Trader Jailed for Fleecing York Customers; Liam Wilkinson, 25, got 10 months for dodgy roofline deals through his Brit-Plas business - promising £1,295 guttering jobs then inflating prices, doing shoddy work, and having workers bang on windows demanding payment. Paid £8,095 compensation to victims. Trading Standards: job done. York.gov.uk |

"Complaints about roofing and household repairs continue to top Trading Standards list and this is a particularly worrying case. We should be able to trust tradespeople to do good work on our homes, and prices should be honoured and not inflated to extortionate levels. Harassment is unacceptable and this case demonstrates how seriously the courts take these matters."

🔥 Fire Crews Tackle Roof Blaze in City Centre; Two crews tackled a roof fire on Skeldergate Thursday afternoon around 2pm. Brought under control, no injuries.

⚽ SPORT

🏟️ York City Legend Tom Mitchell Honoured at Bootham Crescent; First apartment building on the new Bootham Crescent development officially named Mitchell House Friday after Tom Mitchell - who scored York City's first ever goal at the old ground in 1932. His granddaughter and three generations of family attended. About 93 new homes being built on the site.

🏉 York Valkyrie Re-Signs Megan Pakulis After NRLW Stint; Canada star Megan Pakulis is back after making history as the first North American to play in Australia's NRLW with Gold Coast Titans. The 29-year-old loose-forward was key to York retaining the Women's Super League title in 2024. Under new coach Leon Pryce, she's ready to help York chase silverware again. Total Rugby League

York RLFC Valkyrie on Instagram: “Welcome Back 💛”

101 likes, 1 comments - yorkrlfcvalkyrie on January 23, 2026: “Welcome Back 💛”.

Instagram

🏸 York & District Badminton League Tournament This Sunday; The annual tournament's back this Sunday at York Railway Institute with 90 players signed up - the second in over 20 years. Double Commonwealth champions Gabby and Chris Adcock will present trophies and run demo drills during lunch. Doors open 9am, free tea and coffee, cakes for cash going to the RI fundraising appeal.

💼 BUSINESS

🍺 Black Sheep Brewery Saved - New Owners Want to 'Restore Pride to Yorkshire'; Yorkshire's beloved Black Sheep Brewery's been rescued in a £6.5m deal by Great British Drinks Company, saving 145 jobs. The deal protects Black Sheep plus six other craft breweries including North Brewing and Magic Rock. Co-founder Ravi Sharma: "This isn't just a restoration deal, it's about restoring pride to Yorkshire." | The Drinks Business

🥃 Cooper King Distillery Hopes to Nearly Double Production; Cooper King at Sutton-on-the-Forest sold out completely before Christmas and now aims to jump from 2,500 bottles in 2025 to 4,000 this year. The Christmas Market debut was "phenomenal," plus a Countryfile feature shifted three months of sales in three weeks. They're staying lean and focusing on quality while others like Spirit of Harrogate hit administration. York Press

Cooper King Distillery on Instagram: “January can be a bit grim, but it’s especially hard for our pubs. They’ve been hit with a load of measures recently that make it even harder to survive - and we were already losing around 8 pubs a week. 8 a week! And going to the pub can be expensive, so when everyone’s feeling the pinch it is all too easy to just stay at home. But in this country, the noble pub is our spiritual home - and we will miss them when they’re gone. So even if you just nip in for a swift one, or have an evening on the alcohol-free beer, head to the pub this weekend. And this one is one of our all-time favourites. The Durham Ox, Crayke”

38 likes, 5 comments - cooperkingdistillery on January 22, 2026: “January can be a bit grim, but it’s especially hard for our pubs. They’ve been hit with a load of measures recently that make it even harder to survive - and we were already losing around 8 pubs a week. 8 a week! And going to the pub can be expensive, so when everyone’s feeling the pinch it is all too easy to just stay at home. But in this country, the noble pub is our spiritual home - and we will miss them when they’re gone. So even if you just nip in for a swift one, or have an evening on the alcohol-free beer, head to the pub this weekend. And this one is one of our all-time favourites. The Durham Ox, Crayke”.

Instagram

🍺 Brew York Teams Up with Asda for 'Decadent Indulgent' Beer; Brew York's created a Salted Caramel Flavour Stout for Asda's Collab Collection - "rich, velvety caramel sweetness meets a delicate touch of salt." Available nationwide from February at £3.02, part of 4 for 3 offer. York artist Kai West designed the can showing the River Ouse as flowing chocolate through city landmarks.

Brew York on Instagram: “BREW YORK 🤝 ASDA We’re buzzing to announce a brand-new collaboration with @asda – introducing our Salted Caramel Stout 🍫✨ Part of ASDA’s Collab Collection, this release sees ASDA teaming up with breweries to create standout craft beers, each paired with bespoke artwork from a local artist celebrating the brewery’s hometown. Our Salted Caramel Stout is a decadent indulgence, where rich, velvety caramel sweetness meets a delicate touch of salt. Smooth hints of vanilla bring depth and a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel in every sip. The can artwork was created by York-based artist @kaiwestillustration, drawing inspiration from the city’s rich chocolate-making heritage. 🗓 Landing in ASDA stores nationwide from February 2026 💷 £3.02 per can 🛒 Included in ASDA’s 4 for 3 multibuy”

186 likes, 3 comments - brewyorkbeer on January 23, 2026: “BREW YORK 🤝 ASDA We’re buzzing to announce a brand-new collaboration with @asda – introducing our Salted Caramel Stout 🍫✨ Part of ASDA’s Collab Collection, this release sees ASDA teaming up with breweries to create standout craft beers, each paired with bespoke artwork from a local artist celebrating the brewery’s hometown. Our Salted Caramel Stout is a decadent indulgence, where rich, velvety caramel sweetness meets a delicate touch of salt. Smooth hints of vanilla bring depth and a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel in every sip. The can artwork was created by York-based artist @kaiwestillustration, drawing inspiration from the city’s rich chocolate-making heritage. 🗓 Landing in ASDA stores nationwide from February 2026 💷 £3.02 per can 🛒 Included in ASDA’s 4 for 3 multibuy”.

Instagram

🍽️ FOOD & DRINK

⭐ Latest Food Hygiene Ratings for York Latest batch of ratings are in from environmental health officers checking York restaurants, cafes, takeaways and businesses. FIVE - VERY GOOD: Bosuns Restaurant at Ferry Lane, Bishopthorpe (rated January 9) and Coffee on the Green at Poppleton Methodist Church (rated January 13).

🥞 Yolk Farm Launches Wellness Bottomless Brunch; Yolk Farm at Minskip's launching what they reckon is the world's first Wellness Bottomless Brunch - blending indulgence with wellbeing. Choose from locally sourced mains like Buddha Bowl or Pancakes, then unlimited sides and bottomless wellness drinks (juices, smoothies, pink chai latte). £25pp every Wednesday in February, plus sauna and sound-bath experience Friday, February 6. Yolk Farm

breathe and be kids on Instagram: “Thinking of joining us for a creative play session at @yolkfarm_ ? We have spaces available for our half term session on Monday 16th February. All ages are welcome for our half term session as I know a lot of older siblings will be around. Or they can play in the barn whilst your little ones join us 💕 Booking link in bio ✨”

3 likes, 0 comments - breatheandbe_kids on January 23, 2026: “Thinking of joining us for a creative play session at @yolkfarm_ ? We have spaces available for our half term session on Monday 16th February. All ages are welcome for our half term session as I know a lot of older siblings will be around. Or they can play in the barn whilst your little ones join us 💕 Booking link in bio ✨”.

Instagram

👥 COMMUNITY

🎓 University of York Students: Here's Your Side-Quests Bucket List; The Tab's dropped the ultimate University of York bucket list - the spontaneous, chaotic experiences that define your time here beyond lectures. Top shouts: chaotic housemate energy with hide and seek, fake personalities in clubs, exploring York's hidden gems like art galleries, visiting mates at other unis, and being tourists in your own city. York Art Gallery gets special mention as therapeutic and inspiring.

📌 WHAT'S ON - SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY

🎭 The Talented Mr Ripley (Final Night); Grand Opera House, 7:30pm (2:30pm matinee available) The gripping thriller about deception and identity closes its run.(Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street) More info

⭐ Star Wars: May the Farce Be With You; Joseph Rowntree Theatre, 7:30pm (2pm matinee) Hilarious Star Wars parody with Princess Slaya, Fluke Skywalker, and the legendary 'Odour'. Final weekend! More Details.

🎻 Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings; National Centre for Early Music (St. Margaret's Church, Walmgate), 6:30pm Live string ensemble performing Bridgerton favorites by candlelight More Details.

🐦 Big Garden Bird Watch York Museum Gardens, 10:30am - 2pm Join the RSPB's world's largest garden wildlife survey. Free, all ages welcome, fully accessible. More Info.

🥃 Burns Night Whisky Tasting; The Square, Stamford Bridge, 6pm Celebrate Robert Burns with Scotch whisky, Scottish fare, and live bagpipes. More Info.

💙 Millie Wright Children's Charity Fundraiser; The Crescent York, 7:30pm Live music from 5:15's + Five Time Steady supporting Leeds Children's Hospital families. Updates.

📌 WHAT'S ON - SUNDAY 25TH JANUARY

💿 The Crescent Record Fair The Crescent York, 11am - 3pm 8 stallholders, thousands of vinyl LPs and 45s. Free admission, bar open. More Info.

🎸 Whole Lotta Shakin' – The Shakin' Stevens Story; Joseph Rowntree Theatre, 7:30pm Award-winning tribute to the 80s icon featuring 'Green Door', 'Oh Julie', and classic rock 'n' roll hits Details.