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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.
University of Worcester Graduate Amasses Record breaking Tomb Raider Collection
A University of Worcester graduate has earned a Guinness World Record after building the biggest collection of Tomb Raider video games in the world. Amy Dyson, from Milton Keynes, has officially been recognised for owning the largest collection of Tomb Raider video...
Latest Article
University of Worcester Graduate Amasses Record breaking Tomb Raider Collection
A University of Worcester graduate has earned a Guinness World Record after building the biggest collection of Tomb Raider video games in the world. Amy Dyson, from Milton Keynes, has officially been recognised for owning the largest collection of Tomb Raider video...
Member News
mfg Solicitors strengthens Private Client team with new appointment
Law firm mfg Solicitors has appointed a senior associate to its Private Client team in Worcester. The Tything-based firm has announced specialist solicitor Claire Pope has joined the team, supporting clients on a wide range of matters, including the drafting of wills,...
Modern Work Experience Event
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 May, 10am to 1:00pm Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, Graham Hick Pavillion, New Road, Worcester, Worcestershire , WR2 4QQ Event Overview: Work experience in Worcestershire is changing – and local businesses are now being...
Patron & Strategic News
Business relief after Government U-turns on day-one unfair dismissal rights
Employment lawyers have reacted positively to the Government’s U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal rights – but urged businesses to seek expert guidance to prepare for wide-ranging workplace reforms. Labour had made a controversial manifesto commitment to offer all...
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Chamber News
40-year high inflation figures place further pressure on businesses
After a revised mini budget was announced on Monday by newly appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, stability is the key message the government are portraying following the economic turmoil in the last few weeks, which has included the sacking of former Chancellor Kwasi...
Supporting your people during the cost-of-living crisis
Whether you agreed with the mini-budget or not, there’s no doubt that many of us across the UK will be left feeling confused, anxious and let-down in the wake of this week’s Government’s U-turn. Without a clear vision of what support will now be on offer to help ease...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members this month: Worcestershire B-Stitch Embroidery & Printing – Embroidery & Printing Service for workwear apparel Capella Associates Limited – Leadership & Personal...
Welcome New Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members this month: Worcestershire B-Stitch Embroidery & Printing – Embroidery & Printing Service for workwear apparel Capella Associates Limited – Leadership & Personal...
Policy News
Institute for Fiscal Studies release report investigating employment patterns for over 50’s
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have released a new report entitled “Changing patterns of work at older ages”. In the report, they provide fresh evidence on the nature of paid work at older ages, how employment patterns differ for people in different...
British food and drink exports to EU fall by 47% in first quarter of 2021
The Food & Drink Federation (FDF) have released their Trade Snapshot for Q1 2021. The report shows there has been a 28% fall in UK food and drink exports in Q1 2021 when compared to 2020. Exports to the EU fell by 47% compared to Q1 2020, whereas sales to non-EU...
Skills News
Nursery swimming gala fun
Children at Little Trinity Nursery in Kidderminster had an amazing time showing parents their swimming skills as they took part in their first Swimming Gala. Over 30 children took part with the younger children from the age of 3-years showing how they could swim and...
Help shape the design of the apprenticeship service
ESFA calls on small and medium sized apprenticeship employers and supporting training providers to help develop the Apprenticeship Service The ESFA has opened an Expressions of Interest (EOI) for small and medium sized employers and supporting training providers to...
Charity News
Walkers pave the way for thousands of pounds towards St Michael’s Hospice
Hundreds began British Summertime with a walk through Herefordshire’s beautiful countryside in support of a county charity. The St Michael’s Hospice Big Spring Walk raised more than £12,000 for the Bartestree-based charity which provides palliative and...
Stride out over Malvern Hills for hospice care
Walkers are invited to stride out across the Malvern Hills for a hospice’s 39th annual fundraising challenge. The St Richard’s Hospice Malvern Hills Walk takes place on Saturday, May 13 – with two, five and 11-mile routes available. The walk is a popular fixture in...
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
BCC News
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
Worcestershire News
Ballards LLP Spices Up Droitwich Food and Drink Festival with 1000 Eco-Friendly Bags!
Worcestershire accountancy firm, Ballards LLP, will be supporting the upcoming Droitwich Food and Drink Festival by supplying 1000 environmentally friendly forever bags which will be handed out to attended upon entry. The festival which is now in its 13th year is set...
Vamos Theatre Tours Sharing Joy, a colourful, interactive performance, to local care homes.
Worcester-based Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is to take its popular show, Sharing Joy, out on the road this June to visit care homes and other venues in Worcestershire. Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance...
Herefordshire News
Chair’s Report
Great news for Hereford, with the successful bid for funding from the Government Towns Fund. A total of £22.4 million has been secured for investment in up to 15 transformational projects included in the city’s Town Investment Plan (TIP). Details of all the projects...
Hay Festival Winter Weekend returns!
Organisers of Hay Festival are excited to announce it’s return for Winter 2022 and this time with a new home! On 24-27th November, the festival will bring writers and readers together in the grounds of the beautiful Hay Castle. A centre for arts, literature and...
All Latest News
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch Lines!
On the surface, things are looking much quieter at the Railway, as we shut down for a few weeks, prior to the very busy festive season services, which start at the end of this month. We very much hope you’ll be able to join us for one of the exciting Christmas...
Recycle Your Christmas Tree with the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Worcestershire-based Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust will launch its 6th year of recycling Christmas trees on 15th November. For a voluntary donation, your tree will be taken away by the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust’s team of volunteers to local recycling...
University Experts Explain Why Jane Austen Still Has Us Hooked After 250 Years
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of her birth, experts from the University of Worcester will explore our fascination with the author Jane Austen in a free event next month. The discussion, titled ‘Why are we obsessed with Jane Austen?’ will take place at The...
Sharon Baker of Kinder Accountants Wins Business Leader of the Year at the Herefordshire Means Business Awards 2025
Local business leader Sharon Baker, founder and director of Kinder Accountants, has been named Business Leader of the Year at the Herefordshire Means Business Awards 2025. The award recognises Sharon’s outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to putting...
September Trade Slump Rounds Off Weak Q3
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “September was a poor month for UK trade. Goods exports fell to the US, EU and the rest of the world. The impacts of the JLR cyber-attack were clearly felt in a slump in automotive...
Budget Must Kickstart Sluggish Economy
Reacting to the latest GDP data published this morning by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “With a backdrop of weak business and investment confidence, sluggish Q3 growth of just 0.1% is unsurprising. “But the...
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