THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Thursday, March 12, 2026

Good morning, York! It's a day to batten down the hatches. The wind is howling, the rain is on its way, and, as you'll read, York has had a genuinely eventful week. From a shooting in Tang Hall to a landmark legal battle threatening York City FC, a man losing his life in the Ouse, and council decisions reshaping the city centre, there's a lot to get through. Grab something warm, and let's get into it.

🚨 CRIME & SAFETY

🔫 Three arrested after Tang Hall shooting - Armed police were called to Starkey Crescent in Tang Hall at around 9:25 pm on Saturday, 7 March after a firearm was discharged at an unoccupied parked car. CCTV footage captured a suspect firing before fleeing the scene on foot. North Yorkshire Police have since made three arrests: a 34-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a firearm and criminal damage, a 32-year-old man on possession of a firearm, and a 29-year-old woman for assisting an offender. All three were released on bail. One suspect is still being sought. Police describe it as a targeted incident and say there is no wider risk to the community. The scene on the Tang Hall cycle track remains active.

💔 Man dies after being pulled from the River Ouse - A deeply sad story to report. Emergency services, including police, fire crews, ambulance, and York Rescue Boat volunteers, were called to Landing Lane in Fulford at 2:08pm on Tuesday 10 March after a man entered the River Ouse near Bishopthorpe Bridge. He was pulled from the water alive and rushed to York Hospital in a critical condition, but sadly passed away that evening. North Yorkshire Police confirmed his death, with no suspicious circumstances indicated. A report is being prepared for the coroner. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

📰 NEWS

🚂 York Station safety sign set to move - Network Rail has submitted plans to City of York Council to relocate an OFF indicator sign between platforms 1 and 3 at York Station. The sign, used by staff to confirm when a train is safe to depart — is currently obstructed by a waiting room. The proposed fix: move it to a column on platform 3 for clearer sightlines. A small but important one for rail safety.

🏚️ Student accommodation near York's walls recommended for refusal - Planning officers have recommended that a proposed student accommodation scheme close to York's historic walls be refused, concluding that the proposals "are not considered to result in high quality living accommodation." The application now goes before the planning committee.

🔥 York goes smoke control - city-wide stove rules approved - City of York Council has voted to approve a new city-wide Smoke Control Area, replacing the patchwork of existing local orders. Under the new rules, residents burning solid fuel must use Government-approved stoves or authorised smokeless fuel. The move follows reports of children developing coughs and struggling to breathe due to poor air quality. Around 39 of an estimated 98 homes relying on solid fuel as their main heat source may need to upgrade their equipment.

💰 Hollinrake: tourism levy would be "damaging" for York - York MP Kevin Hollinrake has come out against proposals for a tourism levy, warning it would be damaging to the city's visitor economy.

🕊️ Tributes paid to Jonathan Tyler - former Sheriff, Green pioneer, rail visionary - York has lost a remarkable figure. Jonathan Tyler, former Sheriff of York (2016–17), transport consultant, and founding figure of the Green Party, died on Sunday 1 March at York Hospital, aged 85. Tyler joined British Rail in 1962 and went on to stand as the Ecology Party's first-ever parliamentary candidate in 1976, later chairing the national party. He founded York-based Passenger Transport Network in 2000 and, as recently as 2024, produced ambitious proposals for a 'Swiss-style' integrated public transit network for the region. His funeral is on Tuesday 24 March. He is survived by his wife Brenda and two children. A genuine York original.

🌬️ WEATHER & CLOSURES

💨 York attractions shut as wind warning bites - The Met Office yellow warning is already having an impact; several York attractions have closed their doors today in advance of the worst of the winds. Gusts of 50–55 mph are forecast widely, with isolated spots potentially seeing 60–70 mph. Transport disruption is also expected. Check with venues directly before travelling.

💼 BUSINESS

🛒 Tesco eyes new York store, but traffic fears loom - Tesco has applied to open a new store in York, but the plans have already attracted criticism over their potential traffic impact, with concerns raised about what could be "totally awful" congestion in the area.

🏢 Council backs sale of Coney Street Holland & Barrett building - City of York Council has approved the sale of 25–27 Coney Street, currently home to Holland & Barrett, to developer Helmsley Group, as part of preparations for the long-anticipated Coney Street Riverside regeneration project. The council originally purchased the building in 2019 for £2.796 million to help steer the redevelopment. Under the deal, the newly-refurbished space will be leased back to the council rent-free. Lib Dems were critical, calling it a poor outcome; officers disagreed. Separately, Spark's lease in the area has been renewed for five years.

📍 York tech firm Vismo appoints new CEO - Tom Cowling has been appointed Chief Executive of Vismo, the York-based employee location tracking company.

⚽ SPORT

⚖️ York City FC faces £4 million-plus lawsuit - York City's off-field situation has taken a serious turn. Former owner Jason McGill, through his company JM Packaging Ltd, is suing current owners Matt and Julie-Anne Uggla for breach of contract, with the claim reported to be worth up to £4.2 million. The dispute stems from McGill's 2022 sale of his majority stake and centres on historical loans made to the club. Court documents are currently sealed but are expected to be made public later this month. Club staff have publicly backed the Ugglas, who have invested close to £6 million into the club over two years. One to watch closely.

🏉 Jason Robinson hails York Knights' flying Super League start - Rugby league great Jason Robinson has been singing the praises of York Knights' debut season in Super League. The Knights have won two of their opening four matches, including a historic 19–18 opening-day win over reigning champions Hull KR, followed by a gritty 17–16 triumph away at Hull FC. Robinson described the results as "amazing" and said it was brilliant to see a club like York competing at the top level. The city's love affair with the Knights continues.

🎨 ARTS, CULTURE & COMMUNITY

🍺 Beer garden plans for The Little Ale House on Stonegate - York's newest bar, The Little Ale House on Stonegate, has applied to the City of York Council to create a beer garden in its rear courtyard, with space for around 50 people. The Grade II*-listed bar opened in December, taking over the space left by the former Little Bettys café (which closed in 2021). The planned outdoor area would feature an oak-framed bar with views across to York Minster and the 12th-century Norman House ruins. Owners Harrogate Tipple say the addition is key to making the business viable. Fingers crossed for a warm summer.

🖼️ York artist launches collective to support fellow creatives - A York-based artist has founded a new collective aimed at providing support and community for other artists in the city.

🎤 80s chart-topper announces York show - An eighties chart-topping music act has announced a show in York. Details on who and where via the link.

📅 WHAT'S ON

🧶 Yorkshire Craft Festival comes to Parliament Street - 7–12 April Made in Yorkshire is bringing the Yorkshire Craft Festival back to the city from Tuesday 7 to Sunday 12 April, transforming Parliament Street into a hub of handmade creativity. Free to attend (10am–5pm daily), the six-day event features a marquee packed with local makers selling everything from homeware to traditional crafts, plus hands-on workshops covering stained glass, blacksmithing, felt-making, willow weaving and pot throwing. Children's activities were included too. A great one to pencil in. Book workshops in advance via the link.

🐎 Hurworth Point-to-Point returns to Skutterskelfe Park - this Saturday - One of the region's best grassroots race days is back at Skutterskelfe Park in Hutton Rudby this Saturday 14 March. Expect proper racing alongside family-friendly entertainment including the much-loved Donkey Derby. Gates open 11am, first race 1pm. Satnav: TS15 0JL.

🤝 COMMUNITY

🚶 Yorkshire Cancer Research wants York walking this May - The 2026 We Walk for Yorkshire challenge is live. Yorkshire Cancer Research is asking people across the region to collectively walk 35,000 miles throughout May, one mile for every person in Yorkshire diagnosed with cancer each year. You pick your route, your distance, your pace. Sign up online, set a fundraising page, and claim your free T-shirt. Every step counts.

🥧 Meadowbeck Care Home gets into the British Pie Week spirit - Meadowbeck Care Home in Osbaldwick marked British Pie Week in fine fashion, with the catering team laying on pie specials for residents. Fresh, home-cooked food is a point of pride at Meadowbeck — and it sounds like they didn't disappoint.

🩺 Poppleton Road Primary pupils learn life-saving first aid skills - Young people at Poppleton Road Primary School have been getting hands-on first aid training, learning skills that could one day save a life. Credit to the school for making it happen.