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.
Stroke
A stroke can be caused by one of two things. A mild stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack – TIA),which is a blockage in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain, or a severe stroke (Cerebral Vascular Accident – CVA), which is a bleed on the brain. Both conditions...
Latest Article
Member News
Kidderminster hotel lands gold for sustainability successes
A boutique Kidderminster hotel has earned gold recognition after a string of sustainability successes. The 4 AA Red Star Brockencote Hall Hotel has been recognised by Green Tourism – a world-leading certification that has been assessing travel, tourism and hospitality...
Ten Years of Smarter Energy: Solar Select Marks a Decade in Business!
Managing Director Terry Hayward reflects on how much the sector has changed since the company was founded: “When I started Solar Select, the solar industry was very different. Today, with the introduction of multiple manufacturing brands such as Sigenergy, Duracell...
Patron & Strategic News
Key Employment Law Updates: Autumn 2025
1. Fire and Rehire – Government Softens Proposed BanThe Employment Rights Bill continues to target “fire and rehire” tactics, where employers dismiss staff to impose new terms. Dismissals linked to restricted variations (e.g. reductions in pay, hours, pensions, or...
Chambers & Partners success for law firm’s Employment team
The Employment and HR Services department from Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has been ranked in the prestigious 2026 UK Chambers & Partners Guide. Regarded as one of the legal sector’s most trusted measures of quality, Chambers & Partners is an...
Chamber News
Rishi Sunak reshuffles his cabinet
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday 7 February, breaking up three departments in an attempt to freshen up his cabinet. Greg Hands, a former trade minister for the Conservatives, was appointed party chair after Nadhim Zahawi was removed from...
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...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members this month: Herefordshire ActiveIT – Professional IT Solutions Brinsop Court – A unique and award-winning event and wedding venue in Herefordshire Enterprise Rent-a-Car – From compact...
Welcome new Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members this month: Herefordshire ActiveIT – Professional IT Solutions Brinsop Court – A unique and award-winning event and wedding venue in Herefordshire Enterprise Rent-a-Car – From compact...
Policy News
Government announces simplified tax reporting for self-employed and small businesses
Today (20 July 2021) the government announced changes to tax reporting that will come into force by 2023. The changes will mean small businesses will be taxed on profits arising in a tax year, rather than profits of accounts ending in the tax year. Under the current...
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...
Skills News
320 people attend Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2019 Final
28 of the county’s best apprentices, apprenticeship employers, careers leads, schools and training providers were celebrated in front of 320 people at Treetops Pavilion, West Midlands Safari Park on Thursday 14 November. The event ended with the announcement of the...
Fellowship awarded to popular local businessman and Chair of WLEP
As part of this year’s graduation ceremonies, Mark Stansfeld, local entrepreneur and Chair of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP), was named a Fellow of the University of Worcester following his outstanding work and over 30 years’ experience in his...
Charity News
Worcestershire Community Foundation and WMPCC launch Inclusive Communities Fund
Partnering with West Mercia Police & Crime Commission (WMPCC), Worcestershire Community Foundation is opening up a new grant funding opportunity for grassroots community organisations across Worcestershire. With £100,000 of funding, the Inclusive Communities Fund...
St Michael’s Hospice to open third shop in Ross-on-Wye
St Michael’s Hospice is preparing to open its latest new store in Ross-on-Wye, which will be packed with affordable pre-loved treasures. The Cantilupe Road store (HR9 7AN) will be the third St Michael’s Hospice shop in Ross-on-Wye when it opens next Tuesday...
US Trade Deal Provides Welcome Relief
Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. “The reduction in the 25% tariffs on most of our automotive exports and the...
BCC News
US Trade Deal Provides Welcome Relief
Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. “The reduction in the 25% tariffs on most of our automotive exports and the...
Worcestershire News
Why are motor insurance premiums at a record high?
Analysis by The Association of British Insurers (ABI), which looks at 28 million motor insurance policies, suggests that the average price paid for motor insurance in the second quarter of 2023 continued to increase. The average premium paid for private comprehensive...
Graduation Celebrations Mark the Achievements of More Than 3,000 Students
The University of Worcester will be celebrating the achievements of more than 3,000 students during a series of graduation ceremonies next month. The annual autumn graduations will see 12 ceremonies taking place in the beautiful, historic Worcester Cathedral from...
Herefordshire News
Beauty and the Beast Dementia Friendly Performance
This Christmas, audiences living with Dementia can enjoy a beast of a show in The Courtyard’s Dementia Friendly Performance of annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. After Beauty finds herself imprisoned by a mysterious beast in an enchanted castle, there is little...
Funding fears for projects supporting vulnerable young people and the unemployed
Major concerns have been raised over the future funding of projects in Herefordshire which support young people not in education or employment. The IN2 Training programme has helped hundreds of young people from across the county, aged 15-24, who are not in education,...
All Latest News
Improve Your Staff Recruitment and Retention with the Salary & Benefits Survey, in Partnership with Hewett Recruitment
Businesses are continuing to operate in an exceptionally tight labour market while navigating the ongoing cost of doing business crisis, further impacted by the National Insurance changes implemented this year. This competitive environment is putting pressure on...
NMITE welcomes record September intake as mature and local student numbers surge
Hereford’s New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) welcomed its largest-ever intake in September, with 75 students joining the institution’s growing portfolio of degrees, marking a significant progression for the higher education institution....
Maylite Trading Estate welcomes RD Physio
We’re absolutely delighted to welcome RD Physio to Maylite Trading Estate in Martley! Previously based in Worcester, Radu has signed a 9-year lease with us and has transformed his new unit into a modern physiotherapy clinic — complete with state-of-the-art equipment,...
Mental Elf 2025 Kidderminster
About this event Holiday • Christmas Held at the stunning Bodenham Arboretum in Kidderminster, this event isn’t just about raising funds, it’s about bringing our community together and shining a light on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, especially during...
We don’t need to do brand building – or do we?
It is a phrase often heard in business circles, “we don’t need to do brand building” but here’s the reality: it’s not an option. It’s not about ‘needing’ to build the brand, it’s whether you’re going to actively shape and exploit your brand or leave it to chance. What...
Event marks milestones at law firm
Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors held its latest ‘Law and Order’ networking event for professionals across the region. The event, held at Worcester’s Piston Distillery, celebrated partner and chairman Iain Morrison who has marked 30 years at the firm, whilst...
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