Business Direction Online
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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.
DRPG RANKED NUMBER ONE BRAND & CORPORATE FILM AGENCY FOR 2026
DRPG Film has been listed as number one in the 2026 UK Top 50, a ranking of corporate and brand film production companies published by Moving Image in partnership with EVCOM. The UK Top 50 provides a vital snapshot of the sector, celebrating the scale, creativity, and...
Latest Article
DRPG RANKED NUMBER ONE BRAND & CORPORATE FILM AGENCY FOR 2026
DRPG Film has been listed as number one in the 2026 UK Top 50, a ranking of corporate and brand film production companies published by Moving Image in partnership with EVCOM. The UK Top 50 provides a vital snapshot of the sector, celebrating the scale, creativity, and...
Member News
Modern Work Experience at Specsavers M&D
Work experience at Specsavers Manufacturing & Distribution has evolved into a hands‑on and meaningful introduction to the world of work. Across Vision Labs, Lens Online, IGS and Kidderminster, students now gain real insight into how eyewear is produced,...
Worcester Engineering Company Helping Manufacturers Reduce Compressed Air Energy Costs
West Midlands Compressors Ltd, based in Worcester, is offering Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce manufacturing members a complimentary compressed air data logging and energy assessment to help businesses better understand the efficiency of their...
Patron & Strategic News
University Research Backs Innovative Prison Scheme to Break Cycle of Reoffending
Experts from the University of Worcester have been working with men recently released from prison to evaluate the impact of an innovative rehabilitation programme centred around fitness. Their report on the pilot scheme could help make the case for rolling the...
Are Ageing Systems Holding Your Business Back?
Outdated IT systems can quietly create big challenges for businesses — from slowing productivity and increasing costs to exposing organisations to greater cyber risk. As technology evolves, keeping systems fit for purpose is no longer optional; it’s essential. As a...
Chamber News
Business Challenges: How the Chamber Supports your Business.
Following the recent budget, businesses may encounter new challenges alongside ongoing pressures from the cost of living and energy crises. The Chamber provides support to help businesses grow and thrive. By conducting local research on key issues, from infrastructure...
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Policy News
Rate Cut Provides Shock Absorber for Business
Responding to the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates to 4.25%, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s interest rate cut to 4.25% will help absorb some of the shocks that businesses are facing on...
UK-India Trade Agreement – A Big Deal For Business
Reacting to news of an agreement in principle for a free trade deal between the UK and India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is a huge boost to our economies and a welcome lift for our exporters....
Skills News
Community Renewal and Shared Prosperity Funding: Restart Scheme Local Engagement Meeting – West Central
Event Name: Community Renewal and Shared Prosperity Funding: Restart Scheme Local Engagement Meeting – West Central Date/Time: Thursday 24 February at 2.00pm Event Description: Bridging the gap to the people who most need help Do you represent a public or private...
Businesses celebrating apprenticeship week
National Apprenticeship Week takes place from 7-13 February and looks to celebrate apprentices across the country and the value they bring to businesses. Hiring an apprentice is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to effectively grow talent and develop a skilled...
Charity News
Sun shines on hundreds of fundraisers as RUN Hereford City Edition hits town
More than 750 runners took a step towards a little bit of history during the first-ever city edition of RUN Hereford. The annual event, which is one of Herefordshire’s leading running days, is expected to raise almost £28,000 for Bartestree-based St Michael’s Hospice,...
Local Businesses Raise Over £5,000 for Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Worcestershire-based firms Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment have raised over £5,000 for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust through a series of creative and challenging fundraising activities. The campaign ended with a festive “Jingle and...
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
BCC News
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
Worcestershire News
Rare Opportunity to Drive 45596 ‘Bahamas’ at the Severn Valley Railway
Eight lucky participants will have the chance to drive and fire the magnificent LMS Jubilee No 45596 ‘Bahamas’ when it visits the Severn Valley Railway for the annual Autumn Steam Gala. On Friday 30 August, ahead of the gala event, a very special footplate experience...
Singing’ on the Train – and at the stations – on the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway will be resonating with song on Saturday 17 August, as the leading heritage line welcomes eight male voice choirs to entertain passengers throughout the day and into the evening. During the day, performances will take place across the Severn...
Herefordshire News
Preserving History, Building a Future: Colwall Malvern Water Site to House State-of-the-Art Luxury Care Home
Colwall Malvern Water, an iconic site renowned for its centuries-old history and pristine spring water, is poised to embark on a new chapter. The historically significant location, known for its natural mineral-rich spring water, will soon be transformed into a...
Marches LEP Awards Nearly £340,000 of Energy Grants in Green Boost for Business
Nearly £340,000 in grants has been awarded across the Marches under a new scheme to improve energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions. Thirty companies and community groups across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin have been awarded the funding...
All Latest News
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch Lines | February
The countdown to reopening is almost at zero! Tomorrow evening (Friday 13 February) sees the first of the Boogie Lights Express trains, and on Saturday, the Railway is open for half-term services. It’s very exciting to be on the cusp of the 2026 season, one which...
Ballards accelerates corporate finance growth with senior Transaction Advisory appointment
Ballards, one of the Midlands most forward-looking business advisory and consultancy groups, has further strengthened its corporate finance service with the appointment of Rob Burns as Transaction Advisory Services Director, further expanding its Birmingham team and...
ZwickRoell Donates €1,000 to Community First Responders Charity Following Global Fitness Challenge
ZwickRoell has donated €1,000 to the Community First Responders (CFR) Charity following the successful completion of its global “ZwickRoell Runs The World” Challenge, which encouraged employees, customers, and suppliers to stay active while supporting meaningful...
University Expert’s Tips on How to Finish a Novel, Not Just Start One!
A University of Worcester expert will share her insider tips on not just starting a novel, but actually finishing one, in a special workshop at The Hive. Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Ruth Stacey, will be leading a free session on this topic on February 18 (5pm)....
‘Inspiring’ Worcester Graduate’s Free Physiotherapy Clinic Passes 120 Appointments as Funding Extended into 2027
A University of Worcester graduate who set up a free physiotherapy clinic for local residents says he’s delighted after receiving an extension of community funding that will allow the service to continue into next year. Physiotherapy graduate Oliver Nightingale, who...
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...
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