Residents were softened up for some bad news on plans to dual the A1237 northern bypass a couple of weeks ago. Two Labour Councillors indulged in some preemptive handwringing and blame shifting. Despite Labour being in control at Council, Mayoral and central government levels, it was always going to be someone else who was at fault. The project, and the similarly affected Station Gateway scheme, face a financial meltdown. The funds promised to .pay for the schemes haven't materialised against a background of delays and high inflation on building costs. A constant procession of specification and contract changes has seen the station project spiral in cost from £25 million to £54 million.

Total Till sales growth slowed to +2.7% in the last four weeks, down from +4% the previous month, likely impacted by the later timing of Easter and Mother’s Day.

Food and Drink Federation say businesses are struggling to deal with added ‘complexity and bureaucracy’

Labour criticises suggestion that investigating ‘historic’ offences is a waste of money

The number of (FTE) staff working at the York Council has increased since April 2024. There are now 2249 posts compared to 2212 six months previously. The Council puts the increase down to the employment of more full time staff (and fewer Agency workers.) Staff figure are being reported to a meeting next week (click) The report is in contrast to the response of the Council to a recent Freedom of Information request which asked · The number of staff vacancies in each department · The length of time that posts have not been substantively filled &

Discount grocer records 7% increase in four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve

Almost 13,500 retail stores closed, a rise of 28% on previous year, according to Centre for Retail Research