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.
UK Steel Strategy
From 1st July, the government will be reducing the amount of steel that can be imported without tariffs, meaning that there will be 50% import tariffs on companies that exceed the 60% quota set by the government. There is some uncertainty over the reasoning behind...
Latest Article
UK Steel Strategy
From 1st July, the government will be reducing the amount of steel that can be imported without tariffs, meaning that there will be 50% import tariffs on companies that exceed the 60% quota set by the government. There is some uncertainty over the reasoning behind...
Member News
University Opens Doors to Community as Free Children and Families Festival Returns
After attracting more than 800 people last year, the University of Worcester’s Children and Families Festival is returning in May with double the capacity and an even wider range of free activities and support services for families. Tickets are now available for the...
Scrap specialist expands offer with skip firm purchase backed by community lenders
A scrap metal specialist has expanded its recycling offering to customers by purchasing a skip hire company backed with funding from two leading community finance providers. Family business Total Metal Recovery, based in Bromsgrove, has acquired neighbouring firm A-Z...
Patron & Strategic News
Ministerial visit to Kidderminster sites shines spotlight on apprentices
Specsavers Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) welcomed Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, to Lens Online and International Glazing Services (IGS) during National Apprenticeship Week on Friday 13 February. During the visit, Minister Smith met more than...
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...
Chamber News
Welcome new Members
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Arkif Limited – Business Consultancy based in Malvern. Dewsall Court – A unique destination venue in the heart of Herefordshire used for weddings, gatherings and corporate events. Eventuelle...
Salary & Benefits Survey 2023/24
With many local businesses experiencing challenges trying to recruit locally, in order to maintain business growth. Addressing the local and regional skills gap remains one of the Chamber’s priorities as we continue to support businesses in the months ahead. According...
Our Latest Member
Welcome Craft-Happy to the Chamber!
“I am Helen and I have a handmade arts and gifts business which I started in lockdown, April 2020. Following my passion for creativity and my new found skills in entrepreneurship, in October 2021 I was able to leave my full-time job with a global manufacturing...
Welcome Craft-Happy to the Chamber!
“I am Helen and I have a handmade arts and gifts business which I started in lockdown, April 2020. Following my passion for creativity and my new found skills in entrepreneurship, in October 2021 I was able to leave my full-time job with a global manufacturing...
Policy News
Chancellor places emphasis on stability and growth in his Autumn budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his much-anticipated Autumn Statement, with an emphasis on stability, growth, and public services. The tackling of inflation was key on the Chancellor’s agenda after it hit a 41-year high of 11.1%. Bringing down inflation will...
MORE OVER-65s ARE STILL WORKING THAN SIX YEARS AGO
Working 9-5 More people in the UK aged between 65 and 74 are still working compared to six years ago, new research shows. The findings show there’s a marked increase in the number of people over 65 who remain in the workforce compared to 2016, and a fall in the number...
Skills News
Inspiring Worcestershire Employer Guides
In response to the challenges faced by businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic there has been significant investment in skills from central and local Government to support your recovery plans. Inspiring Worcestershire have put together a selection of guides providing...
WCG celebrates student success
Seven outstanding students from a leading college group in Warwickshire and Worcestershire have been honoured. The students have been recognised as Student of the Year for each of the individual colleges which are part of WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group)....
Charity News
The Courtyard’s Legendary Pantomime Returns this Christmas with Sleeping Beauty
Following rave reviews of 2023’s smash-hit, Dick Whittington, The Courtyard’s award-winning, professional Christmas pantomime is back with Sleeping Beauty. Audiences will be transported into a fairy-tale world of magical mayhem and an enchanted slumber that only true...
Primrose Hospice’s Journey to Sustainability
Primrose Hospice and Family Support Centre has recently completed an 18-month transformation towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. This ambitious journey has seen the installation of solar panels and the connection to a biomass boiler, marking...
Businesses Squeezed As Inflation Remains High
Reacting to the latest inflation data published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Sticky inflation has been in danger of becoming a uniquely British disease as the UK continues to stand out from the...
BCC News
Businesses Squeezed As Inflation Remains High
Reacting to the latest inflation data published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Sticky inflation has been in danger of becoming a uniquely British disease as the UK continues to stand out from the...
Worcestershire News
The Chamber Welcomes Worcester City Women FC (WCWFC)
Worcester City Women FC (WCWFC), established in 2021, is a determined participant in a movement sweeping the nation and, quite frankly, the globe: women’s football. Since England’s Euro Success in 2022, the Women’s Super League (tier 1) has seen an...
Big challenges ahead for former student to honour the memory of his daughters.
A former University of Worcester student has been back on campus as he gets ready for his last year of big fundraising challenges. 55-year-old Tony Frobisher has already run the London Marathon, cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, climbed Kilimanjaro and trekked...
Herefordshire News
Caplor Energy Certifies as a B Corporation
Renewable Energy company Caplor Energy Ltd has announced on March the 1st its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit. Caplor Energy has been certified by B Lab, the...
Wyevale Nurseries’ Perennial charity salvias ready for garden centres to order for summer
Garden Centres keen to support the horticultural industry charity Perennial can this month order two special salvias for delivery in the summer to help raise funds for the organisation (March 2023). Hereford-based Wyevale Nurseries says the new plants, which were...
All Latest News
Kidderminster College Students Celebrate Success at NCG Skills 2026
Kidderminster College students have been celebrating success after taking part in – and proudly hosting – the sixth annual NCG Skills competition, held at Kidderminster College during National Apprenticeship Week. NCG Skills is a unique, national competition that...
Mental Health Charity supported by The Signature Awards, Birmingham.
The Kaleidoscope Plus Group (KPG), a local charity who have been championing Mental Health for over 50 years, were the nominated charity for The Signature Awards, which took place at The Vox on Friday 6th February. KPG adopt a proactive approach to raising awareness...
National Charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust marks 10 Years of Funding Vital Research and Supporting Families
2026 sees national charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust mark ten years of incredible achievements in supporting children and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, both through physical support and by funding thousands of pounds into vital research...
BCRS Business Loans passes £10m milestone for CIEF investment in jobs and growth
Community business finance provider BCRS Business Loans has lent more than £10m to generate job creation and economic growth through the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF). The Wolverhampton-based lender has delivered £10.3m in loans to 121 companies,...
ONE attends reception at Falkland House
ONE Creative environments’ (ONE’s) Chairman was delighted to attend a reception at Falkland House in London (12/2/2026). The reception hosted by Richard Hyslop, the Falkland Islands Government’s Representative to the UK and Europe, was attended by Dame Harriett...
Celebrating Apprenticeships: How TDM and Jess Gladston Champion Lifelong Learning
As we mark the end of National Apprenticeship Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the transformative power of apprenticeships — both for individuals and for businesses. Our patron member, The Development Manager (TDM), has been at the forefront of this movement,...
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