THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Thursday, 22 October 2026

Morning, York. Campaigners say the Ouse at the Blue Bridge has been failing a key bathing-water standard all summer, and they want answers at a public meeting tonight. Also today: flats on top of a possible Roman road get the thumbs down, HMV is back on Coney Street from 9am, and a York man has landed £30,000 for a new boxing gym with an arm wrestle (sort of).

💧 Ouse "failing bathing-water standard" at the Blue Bridge, campaigners claim

River campaign group Ouse It or Lose It says water tested at the Blue Bridge in the city centre has shown consistently high levels of E. coli since May. Across 21 sampling rounds, the average reading was 1,379 cfu/100ml, above the 900 cfu/100ml threshold used for the "sufficient" inland bathing-water standard. The spot isn't officially designated for bathing, and the group is clear that its weekly tests (funded by Surfers Against Sewage and checked against Environment Agency methods) are snapshots, not a definitive verdict on safety, and don't pinpoint where the contamination comes from. For context, the Environment Agency recorded 34 spill events at Rawcliffe Sewage Treatment Works in 2025, totalling 334 hours of discharge into the Ouse/Rawcliffe Ings Drain, although the campaigners stress that doesn't prove a link. They're calling for independent testing, clear plans from Yorkshire Water and others to prevent pollution, and a charter for Yorkshire's rivers. You can hear the findings at a free event, "What's in the water?", at York Explore Library tonight (Thursday 22 October) from 6pm to 7.30pm. Rowers, paddlers and wild swimmers: you may want to pull up a chair.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

📰 NEWS

🏛️ Flats refused on The Mount, with a Roman road possibly underneath

City of York Council has refused plans by Blenheim Estates to knock down part of the Kwik Fit garage on The Mount and build 12 flats. The scheme was first lodged in November 2024 and cut from 14 flats, but it drew 26 objections, including from Micklegate ward councillor Jane Burton and York's Conservation and Civic trusts, with some calling the design bland and "visually jarring". Planning officers said the developer hadn't shown the site was no longer viable for business use. A council report also noted the site is close to the junction of two Roman roads, that a 1950s dig suggested a stretch of Roman road survives at shallow depth, and that the potential for well-preserved Roman remains is "very high". Tyres on top, Romans underneath. Very York.

👉 Read more: YorkMix / LDRS · York Press

🍟 Row over takeaway rules near schools

The council's draft guidance would have seen new takeaways typically refused within 800m of schools, nurseries, play areas, libraries and parks (outside the city centre, Acomb and Haxby). A report to councillors now says that has to come down to 400m to comply with the latest national planning policy. Lib Dem planning spokesperson Cllr Andrew Hollyer says that proves 800m would have put family-run businesses at risk. Labour's planning executive member Cllr Dave Merrett says the policy is about children's health, pointing out that childhood obesity rises from one in four to one in three over the primary school years. The guidance is part of the work on York's new Local Plan. It carries weight in planning decisions but doesn't legally set policy.

👉 Read the full story at YorkMix / LDRS

🏥 York and Scarborough maternity services need £736k to meet new standards

The trust that runs York and Scarborough hospitals estimates it needs about £736,000 to meet new national maternity and neonatal requirements, introduced after a series of national reviews. A board report says full delivery by March 2027 is "at risk" because of workforce and funding pressures, and that compliance with some maternity triage standards is currently 58.7%. Director of Midwifery Sascha Wells-Munro says work to strengthen triage and assessment has already started. She also points out that recent Care Quality Commission inspections rated maternity services at both hospitals good in all areas assessed.

👉 Read more: York Press · BBC News

🚨 Police appeals: two missing men

North Yorkshire Police are searching for Alan Sage, 43, from the Nether Poppleton area, who was last seen in the Malton area on Monday (19 October). He's described as white, of heavy build, 6ft 2in, with short light brown hair, may be wearing all black, and is believed to be driving a grey Volvo XC90. He's known to travel around places such as Thirsk, Malton and Filey. Police are also helping Derbyshire Constabulary find a 57-year-old man named only as Sean, from Derby, who was seen in the Golden Fleece on Pavement on Tuesday evening (20 October) and is believed to be staying in or around the city centre. If you see either man, call 999. Any other information: 101 (for Alan, quote 12260206777).

👉 Read more: York Press — Alan Sage · York Press — Sean · YorkMix

🍺 Street drinking crackdown: the numbers behind it

More detail has emerged on the city centre street-drinking order we mentioned yesterday. Of the 508 people who responded to the council's consultation, more than 94% backed action on disorderly groups, about 91% on pestering, and around 89% on persistent requests for money and invasion of personal space. The new conditions would cover persistently asking for money, food or donations, following or blocking people (including standing close at cash machines), and groups being aggressive or causing alcohol-fuelled trouble. Council figures show 1,273 antisocial behaviour incidents in the city centre in 2025/26, down from 1,410 the year before but up from 1,223 in 2023/24. Some respondents fear it could criminalise homelessness, and the council says it will take a "support-first" approach. Scrutiny councillors discuss it on Monday (26 October), and the executive decides on Tuesday 3 November.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

🚆 LNER boss moves up to Great British Railways

David Horne, managing director of York-based LNER, will become Integrated Chief Customer and Commercial Officer for Great British Railways in November. It's a new industry-wide role, leading a single customer and commercial strategy for the railway, and he'll sit on the leadership teams of both the Department for Transport Operator and Network Rail. Horne joined LNER in 2018 and oversaw the arrival of the Azuma trains, Family Lounges and the LNER app. He thanked his "amazing team at LNER" on X. No pressure, but some of us would love a direct train to Leeds next week.

👉 Read more: YorkMix · York Press

💷 North Yorkshire councillors could get a 2.6% rise

An independent panel has recommended that North Yorkshire Council's basic councillor allowance rises in line with inflation, from £17,964 to £18,431 a year. That would cost an extra £23,604 a year, taking the total bill for allowances to £1.64m, and special responsibility allowances would also go up by 2.6%. The council's executive will look at the proposals first, and full council decides on 18 November. (This is North Yorkshire Council, not City of York Council.)

👉 Read the full story at BBC News

🌿 York CBD firm HempWell lands multi-million-pound investment

HempWell, the York wellness business with a shop on High Petergate, has secured a multi-million-pound investment from JJ Double Gold, the natural nutrients brand co-founded by double Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones. The deal includes an equity stake and phased funding over three years, aiming to take HempWell to a £10 million valuation by 2029. The money will pay for a new manufacturing site near York, a gummy production line and moves into areas like women's health and sports performance. Founded seven years ago by Phil James and Lisa McWilliams, the firm employs 15 people.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

🏙️ AROUND THE CITY

🎶 HMV is back on Coney Street, from 9am today

HMV on Coney Street reopens at 9am this morning after shutting in August for a full gut-and-refit. The first 25 customers to buy something today get a swag bag, and the company says the shop has more than 32,000 products, from records and DVDs to K-pop CDs and collectables.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

📮 What next for the old TG Jones (and the post office)?

Also on Coney Street, TG Jones (the former WHSmith) closed on Monday (19 October), five days after the main post office inside it shut. Readers' ideas for 39–41 Coney Street range from an indoor market and a live music venue to a golf shop and Forbidden Planet, but most people just want a post office back. The nearest branch is on Colliergate. Guildhall councillor Dave Merrett says the Post Office has had interest from several retailers, and wants a replacement found quickly.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

🍔 Bilborough Top McDonald's reopens today

The McDonald's at Bilborough Top, off the A64 between York and Tadcaster, reopens today after closing on 21 September for a refurbishment. Fries before the weekend washout, then.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

🕯️ Norfolk perfumery picks Stonegate for its first northern shop

Norfolk Natural Living, which makes handmade candles, fragrances and natural cleaning products, is opening at 50 Stonegate, the old Zatchels unit. The official opening is on Friday 13 November, from 10am to 5pm, with free gifts and hand massages.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

🎃 "No trick or treaters" posters are available

Not up for Halloween callers? Police have made "No Trick or Treaters" posters you can download and put in your window, and they're asking families to stick to the homes that are clearly up for it.

👉 Read the full story at YorkMix

🐴 Firefighters help a fallen horse near Dunnington

A York fire crew was called near Dunnington yesterday afternoon after a horse fell on Tarmac and couldn't get back up. Crews laid a salvage sheet so it could grip the ground, and it was back on its feet and in its owner's care.

👉 Read the full story at YorkMix

⚽ SPORT

Lindsey: "We weren't our normal selves"

Scott Lindsey called Tuesday's late 1-1 draw with Accrington "probably a fair result", admitting City looked tired after the long trip to Newport. Once again, the goal they conceded came from a set piece, and he says fixing that will take time: "If we tidy that part of our game up, we're probably sitting top of the league." Ollie Pearce's late header came from Harry Boyes' cross and an Arthur Read flick-on, and Lindsey wants to see much more of that. City are back in training today ahead of "another big one" on Saturday.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

A book for the Added Time Assassins

Long-time fan Paul S Wilson has written York City – The Added Time Assassins, a 156-page account of the promotion season that ended with Josh Stones' 103rd-minute winner at Rochdale. It costs £15 from Mr Wilson outside Vallados Lounge on match days (1.30pm to 2.45pm, cash only), from a few shops including Haxby Sports Bar, or online at croftpublications.co.uk.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

Tough day for York RUFC

York RUFC have dropped to the bottom of their league after a 57–19 home defeat to Driffield at Clifton Park, in a match between the 11th- and 12th-placed sides. Better news elsewhere: York RI are second in Counties 3 Yorkshire A after edging Scarborough Seconds 17–14, and Nestle Rowntree thrashed North Ribblesdale Seconds 47–19.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

🎭 CULTURE

It's going to be Christmas Eve every day at the Castle Museum

From 14 November to 3 January, York Castle Museum's Victorian street, Kirkgate, will be frozen on the night before Christmas, with snowy cobbles, a grand tree and (perhaps) Father Christmas in his traditional green. New for 2026 are shadows and silhouettes of Kirkgate's "residents" getting ready for Christmas, created by designers Spatial Projects. Scrooge is also back for one-man performances of A Christmas Carol in November and December. Yes, we said the C word in October.

👉 Read the full story at YorkMix

Lighthouse Family tickets on sale tomorrow

The 1990s pop-soul duo bring their comeback tour to York Barbican on 8 March 2027, celebrating their debut album Ocean Drive. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday 23 October) at 9.30am on the York Barbican website. Lifted, you might say.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

Six York-made documentaries head to BFI Player

Six sound-led documentaries made through York's Aesthetica x Audible Listening Pitch will be free to stream on BFI Player from 4 November, the opening day of the Aesthetica Film Festival. They range from a Paralympic skier with 2% vision to the whistled language of northern Laos.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

Joseph Rowntree School shortlisted for a national musical theatre award

The school has been shortlisted for the MTI Award for Achievement in Musical Theatre Provision at the 2027 Music and Drama Education Awards. Its Vaudeville Performing Arts Faculty has staged more than 20 productions in over 16 years, and is now rehearsing Newsies for February 2027.

👉 Read the full story at York Press

📅 THIS WEEK IN YORK

💧 What's in the water? Ouse It or Lose It's free public meeting is at York Explore tonight, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

🎶 HMV reopens on Coney Street at 9am today.

👠 Everybody's Talking About Jamie from York Stage is at the Grand Opera House until Saturday 24 October (7.30pm, plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee).

🏛️ The Penelopiad, starring Amelia Bullmore, runs at York Theatre Royal until 31 October.

🚌 Rail replacement buses run this weekend (24–25 October), and there are no direct York–Leeds trains from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.

🎨 SPARK half-term: a Halloween art competition for Door84 runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October.

🖼️ Foxwood Arts, Craft and Photography Exhibition is at Foxwood Community Centre on Saturday 31 October, from 10.30am to 3pm.

👉 Read more: York Press — what's on · YorkMix — rail works · York Press — SPARK · York Press — Foxwood

🥊 AND FINALLY...

Some people fill in grant forms. Simon Malarkey, chairman of New Earswick Sports Club, beat property boss Patric Cassidy of the Cassidy Group in an arm wrestle, and came away with £30,000 for his cousin Charlie's New Ways Boxing Club at New Earswick Sports Ground. To be fair, Simon reckons the money was never really riding on it: "I did win, [but] I don't think the £30,000 was on it." The club has also had funding from mayor David Skaith and gym equipment from York St John University, and former pro boxer Jamie Warters will help coach. Charlie, who leads the Salvation Army's early intervention team in York, says police have told him kids as young as 11 are desperate for it to open. It's hoped the doors will open in early 2027.

👉 Read the full story at York Press