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.
Accessible support for confident learning and successful transitions
As learners prepare for a new academic year, accessible, person-centred support can make a meaningful difference to confidence, focus and participation. This free Study Day at The Shell Store brings together the specialist expertise of Herefordshire &...
Latest Article
Accessible support for confident learning and successful transitions
As learners prepare for a new academic year, accessible, person-centred support can make a meaningful difference to confidence, focus and participation. This free Study Day at The Shell Store brings together the specialist expertise of Herefordshire &...
Member News
BCRS Business Loans passes £5m in Midlands Engine Investment Fund II lending
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has passed £5 million in lending for the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II since its launch, creating 237 new jobs across the West Midlands. BCRS Business Loans has supported 82 businesses by delivering...
Three things your website should be doing
Many small business websites look the part. They have a homepage, a services page, maybe some photos. They load when you type in the address. Job done, right? Not quite. Looking functional and actually working for your business are two very different things. Here are...
Patron & Strategic News
Event at The Hive Honours Record-Breaking Pilot in Celebration of International Women’s Day
The extraordinary life and achievements of Sheila Scott OBE, one of Britain’s most accomplished aviators, will be celebrated at a free event at The Hive to mark International Women’s Day. Born in Worcester in 1922, Sheila Scott became a trailblazer in aviation,...
People urged to seek will-writing advice from trusted lawyers to avoid costly complications
A leading county law firm is urging people to seek professional advice to write a Will, ensuring they don’t leave behind significant complications and distress for loved ones. Jack Robinson, a senior associate in the Private Client team at Worcestershire mfg...
Chamber News
New Prime Minister Must Listen to Businesses After a Period of Damaging Uncertainty
Reacting to the news of Rishi Sunak being announced as the new Leader of the Conservative Party, and new Prime Minister, Sam Merrett, Policy Executive at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “I would like to congratulate Rishi Sunak on his...
New ‘Rail Trails’ Design Project Begins
A new collaboration to help develop a set of ‘Rail Trails’ in the region has begun between the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership, the Worcester Ramblers and a University of Worcester academic. The trails are walking routes that link railway...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members – Target Group!
Target is an award-winning purpose-led PR and communications agency based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. PR Week ranks us in the Top 50 PR Consultancies outside of London. For the past 45 years, we’ve supported organisations from a variety of sectors including...
Welcome New Members – Target Group!
Target is an award-winning purpose-led PR and communications agency based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. PR Week ranks us in the Top 50 PR Consultancies outside of London. For the past 45 years, we’ve supported organisations from a variety of sectors including...
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
BCC comments on Migration Advisory Committee report
Commenting on the Migration Advisory Committee’s report, Jane Gratton, Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Expanding the Shortage Occupation List will help businesses access the skills they need when they can’t recruit locally. Listing occupations, rather that job titles, simplifies the system and gives welcome flexibility to those hiring for new or emerging roles.
Young Enterprise team progress to National Finals
Congratulations to this year’s Worcester Sixth Form College Young Enterprise team, Athena who won Best Company at the West Midlands Regional Finals on 6th June and now progress to the National Finals in London on 18th June. The scale of their achievement is underlined...
Charity News
Wildgoose Rural Training have been shortlisted to receive funding from the People’s Project
Wildgoose Rural Training are delighted to have been shortlisted to receive funding from the People’s Project. Five projects in the west midlands have been shortlisted and a short film will be shown about each project on ITV Central news between Monday 15th and...
Alzheimer’s Research UK chosen as Thursfields’ charity of the year for 2023-24
Leading Midlands law firm Thursfields Solicitors has selected Alzheimer’s Research UK its charity of the year for 2023-24. Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to funding diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure of the...
UK Government Strategic Defence Review 2025 Briefing by British Chambers of Commerce – June 2025
The Strategic Defence Review, chaired by former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson of Port Ellen alongside General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill, was launched by the Prime Minister in Glasgow on 2 June. It sets out 62 recommendations...
BCC News
UK Government Strategic Defence Review 2025 Briefing by British Chambers of Commerce – June 2025
The Strategic Defence Review, chaired by former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson of Port Ellen alongside General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill, was launched by the Prime Minister in Glasgow on 2 June. It sets out 62 recommendations...
Worcestershire News
Free Seminar for Business Owners at the Shell Store Hereford.
Join Peninsula at The Shell Store in Hereford on the 4th of July for an exclusive, free seminar designed specifically for business owners. In today’s ever-changing world, staying up to date with employment law and health & safety regulations is crucial. This...
Sign our petition and make a difference to those suffering from brain tumours
Brain Tumour Research has launched a petition calling on the Government to ring-fence £110 million of current and new funding to kick-start an increase in the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million a year by 2028. Brain tumours kills more children...
Herefordshire News
Cost-of Living Bulletin
To help the people of Herefordshire to better understand how the rising cost of living may impact them, Understanding Herefordshire have have brought together a range of relevant socio-economic data and intelligence into a new Cost-of-Living Bulletin. The Bulletin...
Herefordshire Council Investment Plan Seeks to Secure Funding
Herefordshire Council has developed an investment plan which seeks to secure £7.6m funding for the county to grow local business and the economy. Its aim is to help address geographical disparities in economic performance and circumstances. The council’s investment...
All Latest News
Growing, Evolving, and Looking Ahead
After Bill’s retirement, Creative Mouse has seen a shift in leadership, with Rob and Steve stepping into co-ownership after more than 20 years at the studio. That’s right, 20 years – Rob and Steve have been part of Creative Mouse almost from the very beginning. Both...
Branch Line Weekend brings the Severn Valley Railway’s past to life
The Severn Valley Railway will be stepping back into classic branch line days on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March with its Branch Line Weekend, a special event marking 35 years since the arrival of the railway’s first diesel multiple unit (DMU). Across the...
Empowering Local Employers with AI & Automation: Free Apprenticeship Insights Webinar Announced for 13th February
Local employers are invited to join a high‑value, free online event designed to help organisations understand and embrace the fast‑evolving world of artificial intelligence and automation. Coinciding with National Apprentiecship Week 2026, the AI & Automation...
Exploring God’s Presence in Jewish Responses to the Holocaust
An academic from the University of Worcester will examine how Jewish thinkers have understood God’s presence before, during and after the Holocaust in a free event at The Hive. Dr Luke Devine, Head of History and Sociology at the University of Worcester, will deliver...
New partner joins to bolster law firm’s agriculture and rural affairs team
Law firm mfg Solicitors has strengthened its nationally-recognised Agriculture and Rural Affairs department with appointment of a new partner. Experienced solicitor Neil Harrison has rejoined the firm after over 12 years working as an internal legal counsel in the...
Why flexible outsourcing can make more sense
In 2026, major changes to UK employment law will reshape how businesses hire, manage staff and plan for the future. The new Employment Rights Bill and related reforms will introduce day-one rights for some employees, strengthen protections and increase potential...
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