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.
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester to visit Wyevale Nurseries
HER ROYAL Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester will visit Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford on July 13, where she will tour the nursery and meet members of the team (May 2026). Based at Kings Acre, Wyevale Nurseries is one of the UK’s leading wholesale horticultural...
Latest Article
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester to visit Wyevale Nurseries
HER ROYAL Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester will visit Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford on July 13, where she will tour the nursery and meet members of the team (May 2026). Based at Kings Acre, Wyevale Nurseries is one of the UK’s leading wholesale horticultural...
Member News
From Day One to Distinction: Ben’s Apprenticeship Journey
Just over a year ago, Ben joined the team here at B Smith Packaging as an apprentice — and he’s come a long way in a short space of time. We’re delighted to say he’s now completed his Customer Service apprenticeship with a distinction, which is the highest grade...
Family Lawyer Warns Divorce Could Cost You More Than Your Marriage in New Podcast Episode
Jill Roberts, Partner at Knights, features in the latest episode of Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? podcast – setting the record straight about what most people think they know about family law. Roberts, who specialises in family law, argues...
Patron & Strategic News
Award wins for ONE’s innovative digital twin approach
ONE Creative environments (ONE), a multi-disciplinary design company that prioritises innovation, has celebrated two national award wins last month (March 2026). ONE, which has a Worcester HQ and offices in Birmingham, London and Cardiff received the awards for their...
Are Your Workplace Policies Still Fit for Purpose in 2026?
For many businesses, policies are something that get written, filed away, and only revisited when there’s an issue. But in reality, policies should be living, working documents that actively support both your people and your business. With ongoing changes in...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Q3 Quarterly Economic Survey now open
Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey is now open. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce represent the views of our members to national government, ensuring that the business case drives government policy. A great benefit of being part of this...
Get Ready for the Biggest Chamber Business Expo to Date!
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has announced a new location for its renowned Business Expo— the University Arena, Worcester. The Business Expo, in partnership with Hewett Recruitment, is scheduled to take place on 10 October, with over 150...
Our Latest Member
A warm welcome to Holistic HR who have joined the chamber
Holistic HR – Independant HR services, focusing on running bullying and banter workshops, as well as other training sessions related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We also support businesses with their HR needs on a retainer basis, or for ad-hoc projects....
A warm welcome to Holistic HR who have joined the chamber
Holistic HR – Independant HR services, focusing on running bullying and banter workshops, as well as other training sessions related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We also support businesses with their HR needs on a retainer basis, or for ad-hoc projects....
Policy News
Planning and Infrastructure Reform Must Benefit Business
Responding to the unveiling of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “It’s encouraging to see the Government has heeded our calls to tackle the problems of the UK’s worn-out infrastructure to fire...
US Tariffs Hit UK Business
Reacting to the introduction of 25 percent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “This is a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade and plunges businesses, in both the US and UK, into a new age...
Skills News
Innovative students celebrated in county STEM Challenges programme
Worcestershire schools have been getting involved in STEM challenge workshops to help inspire their pupils. After being postponed in 2020, the Worcestershire Primary School STEM Challenge made a return in 2021 alongside the new Middle School STEM Challenge which was...
Government announces package of measures to support recruitment in road haulage industry
On Tuesday 20 July, the government announced a package of measures to help tackle the HGV driver shortage. The announcement follows the temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours rules due to end on 8 August. In an open letter to the road haulage sector, ministers have...
Charity News
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...
Charitable Initiatives in ONE Creative environments’ 50th Year
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, multi-disciplinary design company, ONE Creative environments (ONE), is undertaking a variety of charitable initiatives. In April, these efforts included donating 50 Easter eggs to the local Food Bank and funding and...
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
BCC News
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway wins UK Transport Award
The Severn Valley Railway has won a UK Transport Award as the Best Regional Heritage Railway Attraction for 2024. The UK Transport Awards are run by SME News, a quarterly digital publication aimed at small to medium businesses. They are given to commend companies that...
Sneak Peek for Chamber Members
Sneak peek tours are in full swing over at Kidderminster College’s new Construction and Automotive Green Technology Centre before it opens to the public later this year. Dave James and Terry Livesey were invited to have a look around the facility that will soon...
Herefordshire News
Rebrand for Ledbury Business
Pippin Copywriting Ltd, based in Ledbury, has just rebranded to become Every Word Ltd. Speaking about the rebrand, founder Catherine Every said: “The new name is a better fit for my business today.” She explains: “Yes, I’m a copywriter. My clients call on my...
It’s a hattrick for Thorne Widgery CEO at top accounting awards
For the third year running, our CEO has made the shortlist for the Accounting Excellence Awards. Regarded as the most important awards ceremony in the profession’s calendar, these prestigious national accolades recognise the best firms and accounting leaders. Daniel...
All Latest News
Data Map to track Workflow (Interactive tool)
When I was working as a GDPR consultant, part of the requirements of the legislation was to understand the data flow as it passes through the organization (https://it-ebs.co.uk/news/gdpr-map/). This allowed us to spot any cyber security risks that may occur at any...
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...
Students Raise Over £1,800 for Worcestershire Charities in 24-Hour CPR Marathon
Student Paramedics at the University of Worcester have successfully completed their 24-hour CPR Marathon, raising more than £1,800 for two local lifesaving charities. Running from 9am on March 16 until 9am the following morning, the endurance event saw staff, students...
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Half of SMEs Using AI -With Limited Headcount Impact So Far
More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI in 2025, up...
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