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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.
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Worcestershire firm donates to local foodbank in celebration of International Pineapple Day
A Worcestershire recruitment firm has donated 50 fresh pineapples and dozens of tins of fruit to a local foodbank to help celebrate International Pineapple Day. Staff at Worcester-based Pineapple Recruitment, which specialises in providing staff for the hospitality...
Latest Article
Worcestershire firm donates to local foodbank in celebration of International Pineapple Day
A Worcestershire recruitment firm has donated 50 fresh pineapples and dozens of tins of fruit to a local foodbank to help celebrate International Pineapple Day. Staff at Worcester-based Pineapple Recruitment, which specialises in providing staff for the hospitality...
Member News
Solicitor highlights key advantages of Golden Brick and Turnkey Agreements
A leading residential development lawyer has highlighted the key benefits of golden brick and turnkey agreements for developers in relation to their construction projects, in order to make the most of the financial benefits they bring. Golden brick agreements allow...
Ballards LLP Achieves Triple Shortlisting at Tolley’s Taxation Awards 2025
L-R: Dan Guy – Director – Cubed Tax, Lucy Charles – Private Client Tax Director – Ballards LLP, Martin Adams – Corporate Tax Partner – Ballards LLP, Phil Waller – Tax Partner – Ballards LLP and Gina Gardner – Associate Director – Ballards...
Patron & Strategic News
1500th Armed Forces Covenant milestone reached
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are pleased to announce their 1500th Armed Forces Covenant signatory as NESO, the National Energy System Operator. The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have...
University Domestic Violence Expert Gives Keynote Address in Malta
An expert from the University of Worcester has given the keynote speech at a conference to mark the 30th Anniversary since the establishment of domestic violence services in Malta. Dr Beverley Gilbert, Senior Lecturer in Domestic/Sexual Violence and Criminology, spoke...
Chamber News
Energy projects win £3.5million funding from Marches LEP
Three ambitious projects have won nearly £3.5million funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to boost the region’s energy security and meet Net Zero targets. The three schemes were selected from 29 different projects which applied for cash from the LEP’s...
Record Levels of Apprenticeship Enrolment
HWGTA are delighted to have a record number of Apprentices starting in September 2022. 116 Engineers and 34 Accountancy Apprentices have been employed by local businesses and are beginning their training with HWGTA. A record number of 9 females are starting in...
Our Latest Member
Chair’s daytime visit to Wyre Forest & South Worcestershire Nightstop & Mediation
Mike recently visited the team at the Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation Service based in Kidderminster. Headed up by Judith Ford, the team provide safe, emergency, temporary accommodation and family mediation for homeless young people...

Chair’s daytime visit to Wyre Forest & South Worcestershire Nightstop & Mediation
Mike recently visited the team at the Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation Service based in Kidderminster. Headed up by Judith Ford, the team provide safe, emergency, temporary accommodation and family mediation for homeless young people...
Policy News
A quarter of Britain’s licensed premises still to reopen after lockdown
New research from CGA and AlixPartners has revealed that 23.7% of Britain’s restaurants, pubs, bars and other licensed premises have yet to reopen despite the return of inside service. The snapshot data found just under 25,000 venues are still shut, with similar...
Government call on small businesses to lead the charge to net zero
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng launched the ‘Together for our Planet’ campaign on Friday 28 May. The campaign encourages small businesses to pledge to cut their emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner, while helping them...
Skills News
Herefordshire Employers Celebrate Apprentice Success
Herefordshire Group Training Association welcomed over 300 guests to its Annual Apprentice Awards Evening on Wednesday 13 November at The Courtyard Theatre in Hereford. Each year the Employer led, not for profit training provider, currently in its 52nd year, welcomes...
Worcestershire employers celebrate apprentice success
Worcestershire Group Training Association welcomed over 200 guests to its Annual Apprentice Awards Evening on Tuesday 12 November at the University Arena in Worcester. Each year the employer led, not for profit training provider, currently in its 52nd Year, welcomes...
Charity News
ONSIDE & Mix Café hosting a Greek Themed Pop-Up Restaurant
Come and experience for one night only on Saturday the 12th of November 2022 at 7.00pm – a wonderful Pop-Up Greek restaurant. For only £30 per person, each table will receive a welcome drink, a generous sharing selection of tantalising Greek dishes – all...
Santa’s Grotto tickets at St Michael’s Hospice to go on sale
Parents will soon be able to book their children in to see Santa as tickets for a popular Herefordshire Grotto go on sale. Places at the St Michael’s Hospice Grotto sold out within 48 hours last year, with more than 700 children meeting Father Christmas. This year,...

BCC Welcomes UK Supply Chain Strategy
Responding to the release of the Government’s Critical Imports and Supply Chain Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This strategy provides a substantial and compelling picture of the reliance an open trading...
BCC News
BCC Welcomes UK Supply Chain Strategy
Responding to the release of the Government’s Critical Imports and Supply Chain Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This strategy provides a substantial and compelling picture of the reliance an open trading...
Worcestershire News
Worcester Mayor Praises University’s Efforts on Sustainability
The Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Louis Stephen, has welcomed the University of Worcester’s approach to sustainability on a recent visit. Cllr Stephen, who is the first Mayor from the Green Party, had a tour of the University to find out more about its work. He said:...
St Richard’s Hospice signs up to The Charity Shop Gift Card
Worcestershire’s St Richard’s Hospice is now accepting The Charity Shop Gift Card in its stores — the only nationally accepted, multi-retailer gift card that can be spent exclusively in charity shops. The Charity Shop Gift Card is a not-for-profit that has been...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire businesses make forces pledge at jobs fair
A pledge to support service veterans as they make their way in civilian life was signed by a host of employers at a jobs fair in Hereford. Seven businesses signed the Armed Forces Covenant during the jobs fair at The Green Dragon Hotel, which was hosted by supported...
Business Resilience – Take Steps To Increase Yours With The Cyber Quarter!
The Cyber Quarter is hosting a business resilience programme, to demonstrate how you can use cyber security to strengthen your business resilience and profitability, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). An interactive networking session is...
All Latest News
Penguin Office Supplies Ltd Expands with a Record-Breaking Sales Year
Following a remarkable year of record-breaking sales, family business Penguin Office Supplies are expanding as part of their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the Penguin customer family. The expansion has been fuelled by the redevelopment of...
Top Marks for Worcester Students After Amazing Charity Spa Day
Beauty therapy students were showered with praise after hosting a charity spa day that showcased their glittering vocational skills and leadership. Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty Therapy students from Evesham New College, which is part of WCG, gained invaluable hands-on...
Optimising IT Announces New Board Line Up
Optimising IT, award-winning managed IT services business, has announced a new board line-up following the recent appointment of James Cater and Charlie Haward as Non-Executive Directors. James and Charlie bring a wealth of experience, playing a crucial role in...
Economy Stutters with Extra Business Costs Approaching
Reacting to the latest GDP data released this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With growth of just 0.1% in the three months to October and an unexpected fall in the monthly GDP, the UK economy was already fragile...
Severn Valley Railway Unveils Plans for ‘bold’ Restructure
The Severn Valley Railway is seeking approval from its shareholders and members for a radical organisational restructure. It describes this as a ‘bold and essential move’, which will bring multiple benefits. The plan is to bring together the three separate companies...
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,...
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