THE YORK BRIEF - WEEKEND WRAP UP ⏰ March 14 - 15, 2026

Alright, York, your weekend starts here! There's a cracking mix of stories to get stuck into, from landmark decisions shaping this city's future, to rugby league dreams and a community pulling together in the most moving of ways. Let's get into it. 👇

📰 NEWS

🚀 SPARK: York Is Here To Stay - Until 2030 - The shipping container venue that turned a forgotten Piccadilly site into one of York's most beloved community spaces has had its lease officially signed and sealed until 2030. Co-founder Tom McKenzie called it "a huge relief," saying short-term leases had previously blocked investment. With medium-term certainty now secured, the team can finally reinvest in the site and make improvements that have been talked about for years. Around 65 start-up businesses have been supported since 2018, with roughly £5m a year turned over on site. SPARK plans to eventually move to York Central, but that won't be feasible until at least 2029.

🏗️ York Central: "Once-In-A-Generation" Opportunity Backed By City Trust - York Civic Trust has thrown its full weight behind the £2 billion York Central regeneration project, with Chief Executive Andrew Morrison calling it a "once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city." Detailed plans lodged in December for the 45-hectare brownfield site off Leeman Road include around 999 new homes (phase 1C), a 213-bed hotel, a six-storey Innovation Hub, extensive parkland, and a new western station entrance with a 300-space cycle hub. Lead developers McLaren Regeneration and Arlington Real Estate are working with Homes England and Network Rail. A planning decision is expected this spring, with construction possibly starting later this year. The project could deliver up to 6,500 jobs and grow York's economy by 20%.

🚧 Museum Street & Lendal Bridge Closures - Plan Ahead - Nighttime resurfacing works are coming to Museum Street starting next Monday (23 March). Road closures will run from St Leonard's Place to Station Road between 8 pm and 5am on Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March - meaning vehicles won't be able to cross Lendal Bridge during those evenings. Pedestrians can still use pavements. A signed diversion will be in place via Station Road, Queen Street, Blossom Street, Holgate Road, Poppleton Road, Water End bridge and Bootham. Some bus routes will be diverted after 8pm. Plan alternative routes in advance if you're driving in or through the city centre.

⚠️ North Yorkshire Police Online Crime Form Down - Call 101 Instead - A heads-up for York residents: North Yorkshire Police's online crime reporting system has been experiencing technical issues since 2 am, Friday 13 March. If you made an online crime report via the NYP website after that time, it may not have been received. NYP is urging anyone who needs to report a crime to call 101 instead until the issue is resolved. For emergencies, always call 999.

⚛️ University of York To Lead £8m Nuclear Scientists Programme - The University of York is taking the lead on a major £8 million initiative to train at least 80 industry-ready nuclear scientists through the Physics-led Applications for Nuclear Technology Programme (PLANET). It forms part of a £65.6 million government investment across seven new programmes nationally. Professor David Jenkins, who will direct the Centre, said nuclear technology is "central to the UK's prosperity and growth", from developing cancer treatment isotopes to supporting the nuclear deterrent. The programme will also target greater representation of women and people of colour in the sector. Recruitment opens in 2026 for the 2026/27 academic year.

♿ York Disability Campaigner Takes Fight to Parliament - York disability rights campaigner Flick Williams, a visually impaired wheelchair user who has previously won legal battles against City of York Council, First York and Marks & Spencer, gave evidence to the Parliamentary Justice Committee this week on barriers to accessing justice. She told MPs that "too much of the burden of enforcing disability rights falls to us as disabled people" and called for easier access to legal help. The committee is investigating how disabled people can more readily take discrimination cases to court. Williams said she was "most proud" of her case against the City of York Council over its pavement café licensing — a victory that changed policy for all disabled people navigating the city.

🚨 CRIME & SAFETY

🚗 Drug Operation Sees Multiple Vehicles Stopped Near Askham Bog - North Yorkshire Police conducted a major county lines drug operation from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 March, and York was right at the heart of it. Officers were spotted stopping and checking vehicles near Askham Bog nature reserve, just off the A1036 Tadcaster Road, one of York's main western routes. Taxis across the city were stopped and checked for passengers potentially transporting illegal drugs. The operation resulted in four arrests, four property raids, and seizures of suspected cocaine, crack cocaine, and cannabis, along with £10,500 in cash thought to be linked to drug supply. Specialist drug dogs were also deployed to pubs in Filey. Educational sessions were delivered to 1,800 pupils across 16 schools in the county.

💜 Nearly 30,000 Yorkshire People Sought Domestic Abuse Help in 2025 - Sobering figures from IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services), the charity that serves York and across Yorkshire. In 2025, IDAS received 29,513 calls to its helpline, managed 20,762 referrals, and responded to 1,952 online chats. It supported 8,014 adults and children and provided accommodation for 318 people. Critically for York residents, the current domestic abuse strategy estimates there are 32,500 adults suffering domestic abuse in the York and North Yorkshire area alone. IDAS CEO Sarah Hill said lasting change requires communities to recognise "the causes and impacts of abuse." If you need help, the IDAS helpline is 03000 110 110.

💙 HEART OF THE CITY

🏉 Kevin Sinfield Reaches Out to York MND Family - Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield, who has raised more than £11 million for MND charities through his extraordinary running challenges, has written personally to the family of York man Paul Bradley, who died from motor neurone disease on 5 March, aged just 35. Paul was diagnosed in 2023 and, unable to get life insurance due to his complex medical history, left his widow Emma facing a mortgage and bills with no income. Friends launched a GoFundMe titled "The Bradley Family." Sinfield, who was inspired to fundraise by his late Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, told Emma: "I was very sorry to hear about Paul and the difficult time you've all been facing." A truly York story of community and compassion. | Donate: search GoFundMe "The Bradley Family"

💼 BUSINESS

💻 Phoenix Software Makes UK's Best Workplaces Top 5 - York-area IT solutions company Phoenix Software, based just outside the city in Pocklington, has been ranked fourth in the large company category of the 2026 UK's Best Workplaces list, compiled by Great Place to Work UK. Managing Director Clare Metcalfe said the recognition "reflects the commitment, passion, and collaboration shown across the business every day." The list is based entirely on confidential employee feedback, so this ranking is very much staff-verified. A proud moment for a homegrown employer flying the flag nationally.

🛒 Savers Expansion on Acomb's Front Street Moves Forward - The health and beauty chain Savers is progressing with plans to expand into the former Farmfoods unit in Front Street, Acomb - known as Ordsal House. Planning permission has already been granted, and a licensing application has now been lodged to sell alcohol from the expanded premises, from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday and until 5pm on Sundays. Good news for Acomb's high street and a vacant unit that will soon have a new life.

🏆 AWARDS

🌟 Visit York Tourism Awards 2026 - Winners Revealed - York's tourism and hospitality industry gathered in black tie at York Racecourse on Thursday 12 March for the 28th Visit York Tourism Awards. Organised by Make It York and sponsored by LNER, highlights from the 17 categories included: The York Dungeon winning both the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year; No. 1 York by GuestHouse taking Large Hotel of the Year; The Wenlock Arms claiming Pub of the Year; Castle Howard winning the brand-new International Tourism Award; and MonkBridge House winning the new Regenerative Tourism Award.

🤝 COMMUNITY

👧 2,000 Girlguides Descend on York Next Weekend! York is getting a colourful takeover next weekend as 2,000 Girlguiding members, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and their leaders, take part in the first-ever Girlguiding Cityscapes Adventure on Saturday 21 March. It's a UK-wide urban scavenger hunt across five cities, and York is one of them. Teams will use an app called Goosechase to complete missions based on five themes: sports, crafts, science, strong women and fun. York-specific activities include rugby skills with the RFU, a silent disco at York St John University, STEM sessions at the National Railway Museum, and Viking shield-making. York is part of a national event with 11,750 participants across Glasgow, Cardiff, Portsmouth and Manchester. Expect a very energetic city centre!

🧡 Principle Trust Children's Charity Opens New Respite Home - The Principle Trust Children's Charity, which provides free holiday breaks for disadvantaged, disabled and seriously ill children across Yorkshire, has opened its newest fully accessible respite home at Primrose Valley Holiday Park in Filey. ,The property features wheelchair ramp access, wider doorways, a ceiling-mounted bed trapeze, and a full adapted wet room. Founder Mike Davies MBE said the home means "more families across Yorkshire can experience precious time together, rest, and make happy memories." Since 2011, the charity has given respite breaks to almost 6,000 children, with 100% of every pound raised going directly to the cause.

🎗️ Yorkshire Cancer Research Superstore Opening at Foss Islands, 19 March - A 13,000 square foot Yorkshire Cancer Research superstore, the charity's biggest shop ever, opens at Foss Islands Retail Park this Thursday 19 March. Taking over the former Kutchen Haus unit, the two-floor superstore will stock ladies' and men's wear, children's clothes, toys, a large bookshop, and a vintage section with records and retro furnishings. Retail manager Paul Marshall says the door has been "rattling non-stop with people wanting to come in." Drop in, grab a pre-loved item, and help fund life-saving cancer research - Yorkshire Cancer Research has been at it since 1925.

🍽️ FOOD & DRINK

🎸 Life on Mars Bar Coming to Lendal Bridge! - One of the most exciting new openings of the year is nearly here. Life on Mars, a cocktail bar named after David Bowie's legendary song, is set to open on Lendal Bridge in West Lodge in late March or early April. Founded by York's own Ross Woodford, who previously ran the bar to international acclaim in Shenzhen, China for six years, the York incarnation will bring a fusion of UK and Chinese flavours, from reimagined classic cocktails to homemade dumplings, teas and coffee. Woodford says: "I'm primarily interested in introducing new flavours and flavour combinations to people... All to a rocking playlist!" Follow @lifeonmarsyork on Instagram for the official opening date.

🍴 York Restaurant Week - Last Chance! Runs Until Sunday 22 March- York Restaurant Week is in full swing and there's still time! Over 100 venues across the city centre are taking part with deals priced between £5 and £30. This year's newcomers include Drift-In, Howl, Love Cheese and 200 Degrees Coffee, alongside returning favourites like Little Italy, Cut & Craft and The Whippet Inn. Download your free vouchers (no limit!) at yorkrestaurantweek.co.uk and book ahead, it's been hugely popular.

🦇 Gothic Impossible Market Coming April 11, Mark the Diary - Black Phillip's Impossible Market returns to above the Impossible Bar in St Helen's Square on Saturday 11 April, 12pm–4pm. Expect taxidermy, gothic home décor, witchcraft items, art made with real spiderwebs, gothic jewellery, hand-made prints and, apparently, "doorways to other dimensions." Free to attend and absolutely wonderfully weird.

⚽ SPORT

🏉 York Knights Dream of Wembley as Challenge Cup Run Continues - York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth has been rallying his squad ahead of today's Challenge Cup last-16 tie against Keighley Cougars. "You're three games from Wembley and four from glory," he told reporters, urging his players to embrace the romance of the cup while staying fully focused. The Knights, in their maiden Super League season, have already beaten defending champions Hull KR and Hull FC. Key concern: veteran forward Jordan Thompson is out with a torn bicep after surgery. Key fact: this is the biggest club season in York rugby league in nearly 40 years.

⚽ York City's Mo Fadera Joins Guiseley on Loan - York City winger Mo Fadera the 21-year-old Gambian winger who has impressed with his pace and attitude at the Minstermen, has joined Guiseley AFC on loan for the remainder of the season. After a brief spell at Worksop Town, where he played just 82 minutes, manager Stuart Maynard confirmed there had been plenty of interest in the player and the club wanted to get him the right loan where he could develop properly. Good luck, Mo!