TWO York business owners have responded to homophobic abuse by closing down their shop… and opening a gay bar in its place.

More from Latest News

• A NEW event is set to celebrate the York bar scene this week and give people the chance to try somewhere new.

  York’s first Cocktail Week is set to launch this Friday night (April 4) and will take place over the next two weekends, celebrating 28 of the city’s top bars and mixologists.

• The Post Office has said it wants to “maintain” its services in Haxby after it was announced that the town’s only branch will be closing.

  As The Press has reported, the post office is within Morrisons Daily in The Village and is due to close at 5.30pm on Sunday, April 13, amid nationwide cuts by the supermarket chain.

• A decline in visitors to York’s museums and gallery will continue without significant investment to improve buildings and their facilities, a report has warned.

  The report from independent charity York Museums Trust stated its cash reserves cover less than two months of operating costs, leaving it unable to afford improvements and reliant on council support.

• EMERGENCY crews have been called in after reports of someone in danger on a York bridge.

  North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called alongside North Yorkshire Police shortly before 5pm on Tuesday (April 1) to an unspecified bridge in the city.

• The café at York’s flagship Marks and Spencer store is set to reopen – with a new look.

  Work is underway to transform the café at the Parliament Street store into an ‘M&S Coffee Shop’, due to open on Friday, April 11.

• A CHUNK of Government cash has been secured to help protect homes in York from flooding.

  As The Press reported last week, Labour MP for York Outer Luke Charters had a meeting with Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and called on the Government to help fund a flood protection scheme in Fulford.

• The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has vowed to work “tirelessly to get our buses working” as he announced a £95 million investment into the region’s transport system.

  David Skaith said buses across York and North Yorkshire “are not good enough” as he committed to make public transport more accessible, affordable and convenient.

• York councillors have backed a call to explore how charges on visitors’ stays could be brought in, but heard the issue has proved sensitive for hospitality businesses.

  Councillors approved a motion on Thursday, March 27 which instructs the Labour Executive to explore the different ways a visitor levy, otherwise known as a tourist tax, could be introduced.