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.
Why your website costs what it costs
When a business owner gets a quote for a new website and it comes in at £3,000, £8,000, or £15,000, a fairly reasonable question follows: why? It’s not always obvious, websites look like websites and you can’t always see what’s under the bonnet. A...
Latest Article
Why your website costs what it costs
When a business owner gets a quote for a new website and it comes in at £3,000, £8,000, or £15,000, a fairly reasonable question follows: why? It’s not always obvious, websites look like websites and you can’t always see what’s under the bonnet. A...
Member News
Hive Events to Challenge Stereotypes and Share Lived Experiences of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities
A series of events at Worcester’s Hive Library will celebrate Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month this June, highlighting lived experiences and tackling discrimination. Three free talks have been organised by Dr Peter Unwin, Principal Lecturer in Social Work at...
Wasp Season in Herefordshire 2026: What You Need to Know
As temperatures begin to rise across Herefordshire, wasp season is now underway. Every year, residents and businesses see a noticeable increase in wasp activity from late spring through summer, and 2026 is expected to follow this familiar pattern. Understanding how...
Patron & Strategic News
New research hub launched to advance understanding of injuries and rehabilitation in women’s sport
A new research hub has been launched by The University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire, focused on advancing understanding of injuries and rehabilitation in female sport. The Women’s Injury and Science Hub (WISH) is believed to be the first research...
You Do Better Agency strengthens Chamber commitment with Strategic Membership
You Do Better Marketing & PR Agency has upgraded to Strategic Membership, building on over a decade of involvement with the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of commerce and strengthening its ability to deliver more for clients. CAPTION: Ruby Edwards,...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce becomes a Certified B Corporation
The Chamber joins the growing movement of companies using business as a force for good. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has today announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing movement of companies that are...
Eight days left to file your Self Assessment
Eight days until 31 January Self Assessment deadline Miss the deadline and you may face an automatic £100 penalty File your return now at GOV.UK and pay any tax due by 31 January – help and support available online With just over a week until the Self Assessment...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Policy News
Inflation Eases But Business Costs Still Biting
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “A further easing of inflation, to 3% in January, will be cautiously welcomed by businesses. Firms will be hoping it...
New Tariff Rate A Further Blow To Business
Reacting to the decision by the US President to raise his new tariffs under section 122 of the Trade Act 1974 to 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The 40,000 UK companies exporting goods to the US will be dismayed at this latest turn...
Skills News
81-year-old University Student set to Graduate Next Week
An 81-year-old student is set to graduate from the University of Worcester next week. Wendy Hill, from Ledbury, is among those graduating on Tuesday (March 4) after completing a Master of Research degree. “My message to other mature people who feel the need to achieve...
National Apprenticeship Week success culminates with launch of 2025 Apprenticeships Awards
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Apprenticeship Week, a successful week of promoting the...
Charity News
Midlands businesses urged to step up for young people facing homelessness with St Basils Hike for Homeless 2026
Businesses across the Midlands are being urged to swap boardrooms for walking boots this summer as St Basils launches Hike for Homeless 2026, a powerful team challenge with real impact for young people facing homelessness. Taking place on Saturday 20 June 2026 at...
WORCESTER STREET SIXES RETURNS TO THE CITY CENTRE THIS JULY
Worcestershire Cricket Foundation is inviting businesses from across the county to take part in Worcester Street Sixes, returning to the heart of the city on Wednesday 15 July 2026. Set across Cathedral Square and Worcester High Street, the event will once again...
Reading the Seismograph: What the BCC’s QES Dashboard can tell us about the looming economic shock
The latest results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2026 present a familiar picture1. Business confidence remains subdued. Investment intentions are weak. Cost pressures, though no longer accelerating, remain elevated. Firms...
BCC News
Reading the Seismograph: What the BCC’s QES Dashboard can tell us about the looming economic shock
The latest results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2026 present a familiar picture1. Business confidence remains subdued. Investment intentions are weak. Cost pressures, though no longer accelerating, remain elevated. Firms...
Worcestershire News
‘Flying Scotsman’ to reunite the Severn Valley Railway line
The world’s most famous steam locomotive 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ will haul the first passenger train along the full length of the 16-mile Severn Valley Railway line, when the northernmost section is reunited with the rest of the line on Friday 25 July. Work is now...
The Worcestershire Community Foundation is looking for two new trustees
The Worcestershire Community Foundation is looking for two new trustees to join the Board. We are one of the leading grant makers in Worcestershire; we act as a conduit to local philanthropy, linking private and public funders with community projects across the...
Herefordshire News
Worcester – Hereford Engineering Work: Sunday 26 – Friday 31 January
From Sunday 26 January – Friday 31 January, services between Worcester and Hereford will be operated by rail replacement buses, due to essential track renewal work being completed. Sunday 26 January Trains between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford will not run....
Herefordshire Law Firm Announces New Partners
A Herefordshire law firm is celebrating the appointments of four new partners – including one who started out as an office secretary nearly 30 years ago. Lanyon Bowdler has announced that four senior members of staff have been promoted to partners –...
All Latest News
Britannic Place strengthens team following continued growth
Worcester-based Chartered Financial Planning firm Britannic Place Financial Management Ltd has welcomed three new team members as part of its long-term growth plans. Andrea Arnold has joined the business as Business Manager, bringing experience from a senior...
Business Groups Unite In Stand Against Antisemitism
The UK’s leading business organisations have signed a joint letter pledging to take a stand against antisemitism, committing to concrete action to support Jewish employees and foster inclusive workplaces. The initiative, co-ordinated by the British Chambers of...
EchoGuide Theatre: A Herefordshire Tool Ready for Rehearsal Rooms Anywhere
In a decade of teaching, I supported students preparing for speaking assessments. Most clung to the wall. Heads down, sleeves pulled over their hands to shrink away. Their voices came out tiny and inconsistent, stuttering and stammering. Only one student years seemed...
Steel Tariffs Risk Serious Damage To UK Manufacturers
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that changes to UK steel quotas and tariffs could add millions of pounds to manufacturers’ costs. In a letter to the Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, the BCC said the proposed regime risks creating ‘real financial and...
Kaleidoscope Plus Group Launches Free Ebook to Help Young People Cope with Exam Stress
Mental health and wellbeing charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group has launched a new free digital resource designed to help young people manage stress and anxiety during exam season. The ebook Dealing with Exam Stress has been created to support teenagers and young adults...
Turning health & safety into everyday conversations: why it matters more than you might think
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time working with health and safety teams. I’ve sat through briefings, workshops and leadership sessions, listening to experts discuss risk, compliance and prevention. And I’ve sometimes come away thinking: “We’re focusing on what...
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