Feeling gloomy about the dark winter? @yorkCVS are bringing some sparkle to #York this #Lockdown, one jam jar at a time with #YorkLightUpLockdown, stay tuned for updates on what we're doing, how to get involved, and more creative ideas to share the light @healthwatchyork @W2WYork pic.twitter.com/BAoEyy4k1V
— Ways to Wellbeing (@W2WYork) November 5, 2020
Live: York goes back into lockdown
York pub sells beer for £1 a pint – but you have to book your collection slot

Here’s one brief Brucey bonus from lockdown.
York pub the Edinburgh Arms is selling off its draught Black Sheep beer supplies for £1 a pint today (Thursday, 5 November) – as long as you book in advance.
The great Black Sheep beer takeout is on at the Fishergate pub.
On Facebook, they said: “Book your time slot, let us know roughly know how much you want, bring your own container and we’ll fill it up for you for a knockdown price of £1 a pint (the more you get we may even make it cheaper!!)
“YOU CAN COLLECT YOUR ORDERS BETWEEN 5PM -8PM at the carpark entrance. **Booked time slots only**”
To book your slot please ring on 01904 623085, or comment on the original Facebook post here.
Sunak extends jobs furlough scheme to the end of March

The jobs furlough scheme set up in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak is to be extended until the end of March, Rishi Sunak has told the Commons, writes PA.
In a major U-turn by the Government, the Chancellor said the move is needed because of the economic situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Sunak said the Government’s highest priority remains “to protect jobs and livelihoods”.
He had previously extended the furlough throughout November due to the second national lockdown in England.
The Chancellor told the Commons: “We can announce today that the furlough scheme will not be extended for one month, it will be extended until the end of March.
“The Government will continue to help pay people’s wages up to 80% of the normal amount.
“All employers will have to pay for hours not worked is the cost of employer NICs and pension contributions.
“We will review the policy in January to decide whether economic circumstances are improving enough to ask employers to contribute more.”
Nearly one-third of hospitality businesses have little confidence they will survive the next three months
Many hospitality businesses are fearful for their future, new government figures reveal.
The latest survey of the impacts of coronavirus on businesses by the ONS found that “the accommodation and food service activities industry had the highest percentage of businesses with no or low confidence that their businesses would survive the next three months, at 32%”.
Other findings include:
- The accommodation and food service activities industry had the lowest percentage of businesses currently trading, at 75%, compared with 85% across all industries.
- Between Wave 12 (10 to 23 August 2020) and Wave 16 (5 to 18 October 2020), the trend in the percentages of businesses experiencing a decrease in turnover has flattened.
- In Wave 16 (5 to 18 October 2020), 8% of the workforce were on furlough leave, compared with 30% in Wave 7 (1 to 14 June 2020).
- The accommodation and food service activities industry had the highest percentage of businesses with no cash reserves, at 6%, compared with 3% across all industries.
- Of businesses not permanently stopped trading, 17% intend to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model in the future.
York publican says: ‘We will be back. Stay safe’

A leading York publican has issued a thank you to his customers as his pubs entered another lockdown.
Paul Crossman, licensee of The Swan, The Slip Inn and Volunteer Arms in York, wrote on Facebook: “I just really want to say a heartfelt thank you to our absolutely wonderful staff and customers who have collectively helped us through the two months since we reopened.
“We waited, we left it later than most, and everyone then responded with an absolutely amazing level of support.
“We then had the curfew, and we then entered Tier 2. Both had an effect of course but thanks to the collective efforts of our devoted pub community neither turned out to be the catastrophe that we feared (and that they were for many other pubs in different circumstances).
“Everyone put up with increasing levels of inconvenience, and simply kept coming, and for that we are sincerely grateful.
“We will be back. Until then, stay safe and keep the faith.”
Paul is also chair of the national Campaign For Pubs, which you can support here.
Town was ‘busy, not rowdy’ on last night before lockdown

There were plenty of people making the most of their last chance to eat and drink in York’s bars and restaurants last night (Wednesday, 4 November).
But there haven’t been any reports of trouble in the city centre so far.
This picture was taken by David Dunning minutes after the bars closed at 10pm. If all goes to plan, they should be able to reopen after the end of lockdown on 2 December.
And here’s an eerie shot of the Minster by moonlight soon after most had dispersed…

York Minster provides digital services during lockdown

York Minster will close for services and sightseeing from this evening until Wednesday 2nd December, in line with the Government’s new lockdown.
The Minster will continue to offer Christian worship, fellowship, music and reflection through its digital channels.
The cathedral itself will only be open for private prayer. A member of the Minster’s clergy team will say a prayer every half hour.
Dean’s Park will stay open and people using the park will be required to adhere to Government guidance on social distancing.
From Thursday 5th November until Tuesday 1st December, York Minster will be open as follows:
For private prayer only (except Tuesdays when the Minster is closed all day)
- 10am until 12 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- 1pm until 3pm on Sunday
Dean’s Park
- Open from 10am until 4pm (closing at dusk).
Essential construction activity at York Minster such as work on the South Quire Aisle and the final phases of the restoration of the Grand Organ, will continue in line with Government guidance. The majority of the Minster’s staff will be put on furlough with the remainder working from home.
Council issues update on the services closing – and still operating
City of York Council has confirmed the services that will remain open, operate slightly differently or will close in this lockdown.
Many services will continue to operate in order to support local businesses and key workers for the duration of the new national restrictions. These include:
- Public toilets, parks and children’s play areas and household waste and recycling sites will remain open.
- Foot streets restrictions will revert to finishing at 5pm rather than 8pm and the temporary loading bans will be removed. This is to ensure additional help for local businesses moving to delivery services.
- Key NHS workers will be able to park for free at the Union Terrace coach park.
- Public meetings will continue remotely with residents encouraged to take part.
- Children’s and adults services will continue with further guidance expected.
- York, Tang Hall and Acomb libraries will remain open for people to go into to use the public computers and to collect items ordered online. All others will close.

The council has also confirmed those services that will now need to close, following the national guidance, including:
- Wedding services.
- Outdoor and indoor gyms, sport facilities and swimming pools.
- The Mansion House.
Anyone affected by coronavirus and who has no other sources of help, can call the Council’s Covid-19 helpline on 01904 551550 or email [email protected].
York goes in to lockdown again – 20 photos show the *new* new normal
York is back in lockdown this morning.
It isn’t the same as lockdown 1, which saw the city centre almost deserted.
Today, the shops are shut and the streets are quiet. But people have been going in to work, the food stalls on Shambles Market are open, as are essential shops including Boots, Savers, Marks and Spencers, and takeaway food outlets.
As a manufacturer, food business and takeaway, York Cocoa Work on Castlegate is opening from 9.30am-4pm daily.
Here’s our gallery of photographs from morning 1 of England’s second lockdown.
Sports Direct on Stonegate Shambles A sign in the Potions Cauldron on Shambles York Minster is closed Rohan on Stonegate The Antiques Centre on Stonegate Wunderplay on Stonegate Stonegate this morning Nothing doing on the York Roast Co CCTV Coney Street The Coppergate Centre Davygate Empty vs essential Sheila’s Fruit and Veg Traffic on Ouse Bridge Parliament Street
Welcome to our live blog
We didn’t think we’d be here back in April. But today England goes into a second full lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.
We will be live blogging events in and around York on the first day of the new restrictions.
Send any information to us at [email protected].