Business Direction Online
Latest News
Introducing Business Direction Online, your one stop shop for all local and industry news.
Business Direction Online is updated daily, bringing you news from across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Explore our Members exciting and important updates and keep up to date with any Chamber news.
If you’re a Chamber Member, you can submit your latest news stories free of charge and promote updates to local business professionals. Contact our Marketing team for more information.
Ride the rails the ‘hard’ way: exclusive brake van trips at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is offering visitors a rare and thrilling opportunity to experience railway travel from an unusual perspective, with the chance to ride in a heritage goods train brake van during the 2026 Spring Steam Gala. Available on Thursday 16...
Latest Article
Ride the rails the ‘hard’ way: exclusive brake van trips at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is offering visitors a rare and thrilling opportunity to experience railway travel from an unusual perspective, with the chance to ride in a heritage goods train brake van during the 2026 Spring Steam Gala. Available on Thursday 16...
Member News
The Hive to Host Exclusive First Look at New Historical Novel
The life and legacy of the Worcestershire surgeon who revolutionised medical sterilisation through the use of iodine is being brought to life in a new historical novel, with a special soft-launch event at The Hive. Born in 1860, Lionel Stretton served as a surgeon in...
Family Fun and Activities at The Hive to Mark Earth Day
From ‘flying’ like a bird thanks to the magic of virtual reality to learning about the plastic polluting our oceans, families can enjoy a host of free interactive activities at The Hive next week in celebration of Earth Day. Budding environmentalists can explore a...
Patron & Strategic News
New Head of People at Hoople Group
Hoople Group is delighted to announce that Julie Bridgewater has been promoted to Head of People and joins the company’s Executive Management Team. Julie has over 20 years’ experience in HR, including investigation, complex casework, employee relations and developing...
Literature Expert to Give Insights on Messaging in Children’s Fiction
A free talk at The Hive will uncover the surprising moral and political messages woven into the children’s books we grew up loving. Professor Jean Webb, a University of Worcester expert in International Children’s Literature, will lead the session, titled “Not Just...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce work with Crosby Associates Media to relaunch Business Direction Magazine
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce their new partnership with Crosby Media Associates. The Chamber and Crosby Media will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition toward the end of 2025, with October/November and...
Welcome new Members – June
Warm welcome to our newest Members! Apogee Associates Limited – Apogee help you receive R&D tax relief and access innovation grants, providing your business with the funds necessary to fuel your groundbreaking projects. Arden Studio Business Solutions Ltd...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
Circet Wireless Limited – Circet Ireland & UK are leading providers to the Telecommunications, Transport Infrastructure and Power Sectors in Ireland and the UK. Design in the Shires – Design in the Shires are an award winning website design &...
Welcome New Members
Circet Wireless Limited – Circet Ireland & UK are leading providers to the Telecommunications, Transport Infrastructure and Power Sectors in Ireland and the UK. Design in the Shires – Design in the Shires are an award winning website design &...
Policy News
Fragile Growth as Business Confidence Struggles
Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s GDP figures, showing growth of 0.5% in the three months to May, but a fall of 0.1% in the month, reinforce the view that UK growth remains...
Devolution Plans must Deliver on Local Economic Growth
After the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament today, Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome further devolution to...
Skills News
Hazelton Mountford’s Apprenticeship Day 2022
The senior management team at Hazelton Mountford are embracing new methods to recruit exceptional team members, including an ‘Apprenticeship Day’ held at the Worcester city centre HQ. In addition to placing their Chartered Insurance Apprenticeship role on the...
The Chamber to help deliver local skills improvement plan
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber to deliver local skills improvement plan for Worcestershire, and in partnership with Shropshire Chamber, for the Marches. Reacting to the news that Accredited Chambers of Commerce will be leading 32 of the 40 local skills...
Charity News
Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust endorses Jess’s Rule to work with GPs to improve early cancer detection
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust is proud to support the launch of Jess’s Rule; an initiative aimed at improving the early detection of cancer and other serious diseases in patients. Officially introduced today, Jess’s Rule advocates for a specific approach to...
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity receives £13,000 donation from Hereford’s KGD Industrial Services
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is flying high after a generous donation of £13,000, following the success of a lively charity dinner held by Hereford’s own, KGD Industrial Services. KGD Industrial Services, which specialises in designing and manufacturing process...
Apprenticeship System Reform Must Go Further
A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the government to reform the apprenticeship system to make it fit for the 21st Century. As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeships Week, it finds that the current framework is too rigid, lacks...
BCC News
Apprenticeship System Reform Must Go Further
A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the government to reform the apprenticeship system to make it fit for the 21st Century. As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeships Week, it finds that the current framework is too rigid, lacks...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway Unveils Plans for ‘bold’ Restructure
The Severn Valley Railway is seeking approval from its shareholders and members for a radical organisational restructure. It describes this as a ‘bold and essential move’, which will bring multiple benefits. The plan is to bring together the three separate companies...
Severn Valley Railway ‘whistle off’ will Mark the Start of Railway 200
On New Year’s Day, the Severn Valley Railway will join other UK heritage lines in a nationwide ‘whistle off’ to mark the start of Railway 200. Across the country, heritage locomotives will sound their whistles at 12 noon on 1 January 2025. This evocative rekindling of...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Businesses Urged to Move Fast to Access £630,000 Funding
Businesses across Herefordshire should apply now to a £630,000 funding pot to help them grow and boost their productivity – before it’s too late. Capital grants of up to £35,000 are available to help businesses invest in new equipment, processes or technology to help...
JUNE CHARITY EVENT WILL BRING HAWAIIAN COLOUR TO ‘LEOMINSTER-by-the-SEA’.
Ledbury-based high tech coatings application company Cleftbridge Limited is sponsoring the third annual Colour Run around Leominster, with a theme for 2024 of ‘Hawaiian Beach’. The event is organised by ECHO, an independent Herefordshire-based charity that organizes...
All Latest News
Doors Open at Brand-New Ludlow Charity Warehouse
Shoppers were welcomed through the doors at St Michael’s Hospice’s new charity shop, Ludlow Home & Living. The ribbon was cut by shop manager, Giles Kember, and Ludlow’s Mayor, Councillor Di Lyle, before customers were invited inside to explore the transformed...
URGENT Briefing Webinar: What Does the Middle East Conflict Mean for Your Business?
The escalating conflict in the Middle East is already having significant consequences for global energy markets, supply chains, insurance costs and wider commercial risk environments. As the situation continues to evolve, UK businesses need timely, reliable...
From Worcestershire to Düsseldorf: VKF Renzel at EuroShop 2026
EuroShop 2026 was an incredible stage for VKF Renzel to showcase what we do best. Returning to the world’s leading retail trade fair, we were proud to present our latest solutions for entrance areas, POS displays, ESL fixings, shelf optimisation, digital signage, and...
From GCSE Resits to PhD, Worcester Lecturer Champions Diverse Learners
A mother of two who once believed she ‘wasn’t good enough’ for university is now graduating with a PhD that explores how to empower silenced learners. Anastasia Kennett studied for her undergraduate degree in Special Educational Disabilities at the University of...
Occupational Therapy Comes to Local Charity After Staff Member Retrains
A newly trained Occupational Therapist is already making a difference to young people at her Worcestershire workplace, after retraining and reshaping her career. Emma Nokes graduates from the University of Worcester this week with her MSc in Occupational Therapy and...
Introducing Socage UK Ltd – A World-Leading Manufacturer of Chassis & Track-Mounted MEWPs Now Supporting the UK Market
As a new member of the H&W Chamber I would like to introduce Socage UK Ltd. The largest manufacturer in the world of chassis and track mounted MEWPS. Made in Moderna, Italy available around the world and market leader in many countries. Our UK subsidiary is in...
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