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.
Rates Held As Inflation Risks Rise
Reacting to the latest interest rate decision, by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The geopolitical kaleidoscope has been dramatically shaken since the Bank last met to set the interest rate. Today’s...
Latest Article
Rates Held As Inflation Risks Rise
Reacting to the latest interest rate decision, by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The geopolitical kaleidoscope has been dramatically shaken since the Bank last met to set the interest rate. Today’s...
Member News
Inspiring Women Take the Stage at Worcester Business School
The successes of women connected to the University of Worcester will be celebrated ahead of International Women’s Day in a special event at Worcester Business School. Held at the University’s City Campus on Friday 6 March, 4.15-7pm, the event will feature talks from...
BCRS Business Loans continues its support for Purple Shoots
BCRS Business Loans is continuing its commitment to boosting micro-entrepreneurship across Wales and the West Midlands, providing more than £41,000 in further funding for Purple Shoots. The latest funding builds on an established partnership between the two...
Patron & Strategic News
Hamnet Puts Herefordshire in the Global Spotlight – Here’s How Your Business Can Get Involved
Herefordshire is stepping onto the world stage, and local businesses have a unique opportunity to be part of something truly special. Global buzz is building around Hamnet, the beautifully crafted film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel. Directed by...
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training for Those Supporting Veterans
PAPYRUS has been awarded funding by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to provide fully funded suicide prevention training for those working with or supporting veterans. The aim is to equip participants with skills to identify warning signs, intervene effectively, and...
Chamber News
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Areterra – Areterra’s aim is to support a growing number of people from the semi-rural area of Worcestershire, suffering from a variety of differing medical conditions including those with learning...
Autumn Statement Provides Much Needed Support for Business Growth.
The Chancellor has published the Autumn Statement, and he has certainly listened to the calls for a focus on business investment and growth. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) had 3 main asks of the Chancellor: Reform the planning system, upgrade the energy grid...
Our Latest Member
Introducing ‘Where Next’ to Chamber Membership!
Established in 1984, Where Next is a local charity offering day services to young people and adults with learning disabilities enabling them to fulfil their potential. This includes offering real life work placements through our community based social enterprises...
Introducing ‘Where Next’ to Chamber Membership!
Established in 1984, Where Next is a local charity offering day services to young people and adults with learning disabilities enabling them to fulfil their potential. This includes offering real life work placements through our community based social enterprises...
Policy News
Weak GDP highlights continued fragility of UK economy
Reacting to the latest ONS GDP figures, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “The first estimate of GDP for Q1 2023 of 0.1% growth indicates the UK is avoiding a recession and shows the resilience of businesses who are having to weather serious headwinds....
Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey now open
Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey is now open. Click here to take part. 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...
Skills News
BCC responds to changes to the government’s Kickstart scheme
Responding to changes to the government’s Kickstart scheme, including removing the 30 job threshold for employers, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC said:
Careers helpline remains open to young people in Worcestershire
Schools and colleges may be closed, but the careers helpline set up to support young people during the pandemic remains open to young people in Worcestershire. Run by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire LEP, the joint careers helpline is continuing to...
Charity News
Acorns Launches Campaign to Save Under threat £2 million Funding
Staff from Acorns Children’s Hospice were at Diglis Locks yesterday (Tuesday 30th July) launching an urgent campaign to save vital £2 million government funding as the charity faces the prospect of turning away a child in need for the first time in their 36-year...
Hereford Care Homes Participate in Heartfelt Memory Walk Honouring Beloved Past Residents and Raise Funds for St Michael’s Hospice
Hampton Grange and Gwen Walford Care Homes proudly took part in a Memory Walk to honour the cherished memories of past residents Joe and Tom while raising vital funds for St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford. The event, held at the picturesque Queenswood Arboretum...
Sticky Inflation Keeps Rates on Hold
Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision to hold interest rates at 4% was widely expected, especially after yesterday’s figures confirmed...
BCC News
Sticky Inflation Keeps Rates on Hold
Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision to hold interest rates at 4% was widely expected, especially after yesterday’s figures confirmed...
Worcestershire News
Children and Families at Acorns are Bowled Over with Special Visit from Worcestershire Cricket Stars
Sports stars from Worcestershire Country Cricket Club hit a pitch-perfect six during a special visit to Acorns Children’s Hospice yesterday (Monday 18 December). Children and families at the charity’s hospice for the Three Counties were bowled when the cricket...
Introducing Fresh Nous to the Chamber
Introducing Fresh Nous- passionate about new ideas, original thinking and customers Fresh Nous was formed following a career in corporate marketing and driven by a desire to effect customer focused change across a broader range of organisations. We’ve grown to create...
Herefordshire News
Firms urged to aim for first-ever King’s Awards for Enterprise
Companies in Herefordshire are invited to an event to launch the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious business awards. Tricia Thomas DL, chair of King’s Awards for Enterprise Herefordshire, will host the event on May 18 at the Shell...
Adapt-IT helping Business be more Accessible with their IT
Adapt-IT are proud to be partnering with The Disability Expo which is at London Excel 6th & 7th July 2023 as the Gaming Zone Partner. As part of this they are excited to share that they have developed a Beginners Guide to Assistive IT and Gaming. Read this to...
All Latest News
Worcestershire celebrates outstanding success at Annual Apprenticeship Awards
Worcestershire celebrated its commitment to developing local talent and skills at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on Thursday 13 November. Now in their eleventh year of the Apprenticeships Awards, the 2025 celebrations continued to recognise the amazing...
Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards marked a significant milestone in the county’s ongoing commitment to developing talent, celebrating success, and championing the value of apprenticeships. Now in its eleventh year, the programme continues to grow in...
Finding Your Voice: Why Speaking Skills Matter More Than Ever
They say that people have a greater fear of speaking in public than they do of death. And while this is not actually true – the research results are used with a large degree of poetic licence – for many, speaking in public still feels edgy and risky. If...
REHAU Celebrates Two Major Award Wins at 2025 National Fenestration Awards
REHAU UK is proud to announce that it has won two major awards at the prestigious National Fenestration Awards (NFAs) this year, recognising its continuing innovation, product quality and outstanding service that it delivers to customers year after year. The 2025...
Upskilling Through Apprenticeships at SME Solicitors
Over the last year, SME Solicitors has been upskilling team members through apprenticeship and skills bootcamp courses. Jack Stirzaker, who is undertaking a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing with The Development Manager, discusses his experience. I...
SME Solicitors supports Workplace Wellbeing with new Mental Health First Aider
In September, Jessica Aldersey, SME Solicitors’ Office Manager, dedicated two working days to completing a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course with Garrett Learning. This comprehensive training has equipped Jess with valuable skills that will benefit both herself...
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