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.

How to conduct a stocktake
In the previous article we looked at the importance of accurate stock levels. Without it, it is difficult to have visibility of your operations or plan your purchase levels into the future. That is why, in theory, having a computerised...
Latest Article
How to conduct a stocktake
In the previous article we looked at the importance of accurate stock levels. Without it, it is difficult to have visibility of your operations or plan your purchase levels into the future. That is why, in theory, having a computerised...
Member News
Top 100 recognition for Apprenticeship programme
Bishop Fleming has ranked 11th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025, its highest-ever position for its highly impressive apprenticeship programme. It is ahead of national professional services firms, including KPMG, EY, BDO, Mazars, and Azets. The...
Could your brand be globally-recognised for over a century?
Be like Coca Cola ® – Use a Multi-faceted IP Strategy Coca Cola was originally invented nearly 140 years ago!! Its inventor started his business by carrying a jug of the new drink to be sampled by a local pharmacy, and the rest is history… The Coca Cola recipe...
Patron & Strategic News
Hayward Wright Raises Thousands for Parkinson’s UK at Annual Charity Golf Day
Accountancy group Hayward Wright held its third consecutive annual charity golf day last week in partnership with Parkinson’s UK, the national charity that campaigns for better health and care services for those affected by Parkinson’s while funding...
Former Worcester Student Hopes to Help GB Paintball to Global Success
A former Worcester student has a plan to get the national paintball squad to the top of global competition. Alex Dowson graduated from the University of Worcester in 2016 after completing his degree in Sports and Exercise Science, and is now assembling a team of...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Aeromet International Limited – A Leading Supplier of Aluminium and Magnesium Castings for the Aerospace and Defence Industries. Behind The Smile – They offer support for those experiencing poor mental health and...
Chairs Report September 2024
I watched, with great interest, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, on the BBC News this morning (19th September), stating the government’s determination to stamp out late payments: especially for small businesses. Taking points from the...
Our Latest Member
New Member: Energy Audits UK joins Chamber of Commerce
There’s no doubt that business owners and SMEs want to reduce their carbon emissions, but knowing where to start, or what your obligations actually are can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, two Worcestershire business owners have joined forces to help businesses meet...

New Member: Energy Audits UK joins Chamber of Commerce
There’s no doubt that business owners and SMEs want to reduce their carbon emissions, but knowing where to start, or what your obligations actually are can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, two Worcestershire business owners have joined forces to help businesses meet...
Policy News
BCC Director General calls for ‘new settlement with our closest neighbours’
• Director General Shevaun Haviland calls on the Government to push for a new settlement with the EU to support British businesses to expand and drive growth. • More than 400 businesses are expected at the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Driving International...
Labour Pressures Continue for Businesses
Reacting to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The labour market remains a significant challenge for employers who are struggling with skills...
Skills News
Kidderminster College Ask the Experts !
Danny Pardoe, Jack Draper and Skye Reynolds from Kidderminster College recently organised their first “Ask The Experts” session at Redhill School in Stourbridge. Suffice to say, Year 10 Business pupils certainly taught them as much as they taught the students! Danny,...
Engineering Apprenticeship Open Event – Redditch
Midland Group Training Services are holding an Open Event, see first-hand what a Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship can offer you. With a severe shortage of skilled, qualified engineers in the UK, there’s never been a better time to enter the...
Charity News
Local Businesses Raise Over £4,000 at Festive Event Supporting Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment continued their charitable partnership with a successful ‘Jingle and Mingle’ event hosted at Piston Gin Distillery following their charity run initiative last month. The festive gathering attracted over 50 guests...
Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force Host Charitable Event.
On Thursday 5th December, the Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force hosted a charitable event at the Officers’ Mess at 214 Battery 104 Regiment. The event was attended by Cadets and Adults from the Gheluvelt Coy, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire,...

BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
BCC News
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Worcestershire News
Half-term Adventure Awaits at the Severn Valley Railway
Families can be sure of a warm welcome and an exciting day out at the Severn Valley Railway during the autumn half-term break. The heritage line is open for nine consecutive days of fun, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November. Hop on board a heritage diesel or...
Do you dare to ride the SVR’s Ghost Train?
The Severn Valley Railway’s famous Ghost and Scream Trains will be setting forth into the night towards the end of the half-term holiday, when it will be time to celebrate Halloween. Thrills and spills await those who are brave enough to ride the special services on...
Herefordshire News
Local MP Joins Herefordshire’s Discover Parks in Westminster, Lobbying Government for Local Advocacy
North Herefordshire MP Sir Bill Wiggin, (pictured with Hannah, Cerys & Glenn Jones, Discover Parks) states how vital businesses like theirs are in his constituency, “ supporting the local economy and creating employment in rural areas.” One of Herefordshire’s...
Join the Laughter: Red Nose Day at Herefordshire Care Homes
Join the Laughter: Red Nose Day at Herefordshire Care Homes Rotherwood Healthcare, an award-winning provider of Residential, Nursing, and Dementia Care, is thrilled to announce that its Herefordshire care homes will be participating in Red Nose Day, an annual event...
All Latest News
Shareholders vote in favour of a radical organisational restructure for the Severn Valley Railway
At today’s [Saturday 21 June] Annual General Meeting of the Severn Valley Railway’s owning and operating company, SVR (Holdings) Plc, held in St George’s Hall, Bewdley, shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of a special resolution authorising the company’s...
New Course in Tutoring at Worcester
A new postgraduate degree to support those entering the private tutoring industry has been launched by the University of Worcester in partnership with Qualified Tutor, a leading professional organisation specialising in tutor education. The Professional Tutoring...
DRPG’s 45-Year Story Celebrated with Family, Clients and Community
Creative communications agency DRPG marked its 45th anniversary with a full-day celebration across two West Midlands venues on Saturday 21 June 2025. The milestone event brought together over 1,000 clients, partners, team members, and families, for a programme of...
‘Scots Guardsman’ to replace ‘Tornado’ at the SVR’s Railway 200: Trains through the Ages event
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed that LMS 46115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ will appear at its Railway 200: Trains though the Ages event on 5 and 6 July, as a replacement for 60163 ‘Tornado’. Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director said: ‘As one door closes,...
15 Herefordshire businesses sign the Armed Forces Covenant at NMITE’s Military to Business event, supported by UK Government
Fifteen Herefordshire businesses signed the armed forces covenant today at NMITE’s sixth annual Military to Business Showcase. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families,...
UK Government Strategic Defence Review 2025 Briefing by British Chambers of Commerce – June 2025
The Strategic Defence Review, chaired by former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson of Port Ellen alongside General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill, was launched by the Prime Minister in Glasgow on 2 June. It sets out 62 recommendations...
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