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.
UK’s Economic Security At Risk
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging Government to prioritise the UK’s economic security, after 10 years of geopolitical shocks have repeatedly damaged growth. Businesses in the UK have been left permanently bruised by the Pandemic, Brexit, wars in Ukraine...
Latest Article
UK’s Economic Security At Risk
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging Government to prioritise the UK’s economic security, after 10 years of geopolitical shocks have repeatedly damaged growth. Businesses in the UK have been left permanently bruised by the Pandemic, Brexit, wars in Ukraine...
Member News
PRIME MIX WINS INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR MARKETING SPECIALISTS OF THE YEAR
Prime Mix Marketing Ltd, a full-service marketing agency based in Worcester, has been named the 2026 winner of the Innovation and Excellence Awards for Marketing Specialists of the Year. This recognition highlights the agency’s commitment to delivering high-quality,...
Cornerstone Group Expands into Full Multi-Disciplinary Services with Strategic Acquisitions of ONE Creative environments (ONE) and Brinson Staniland Partnership (BSP)
Cornerstone Group today announces the acquisitions of ONE Creative environments Ltd (“ONE”), an award-winning, multi-disciplinary design consultancy and Brinson Staniland Partnership (BSP), a highly respected consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering...
Patron & Strategic News
DOUBLE CHAMBER AWARD FINALISTS FOR SUTCLIFFE & CO
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for this year’s Business Awards, with Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers shortlisted in two categories: Small Business of the Year and Commitment to the Community. This latest...
Fully Local Training Route Makes Teaching Possible for Career Changers in Herefordshire
For the first time ever, aspiring primary teachers in Herefordshire will be able to complete their teacher training with the University of Worcester without leaving the county. It’s thanks to an expanded partnership between the University and the Diocese of Hereford...
Chamber News
Autumn Budget 2025: Chamber Response
Commenting on the Budget Statement, Robert Elliot, Director of Business Development & Policy, said: “For months we have been concerned that this Budget might repeat the chaos businesses faced in October 2024. While this statement is more stable, several measures...
Unlocking AI Potential: How the BCC AI Academy Is Helping Local Businesses Thrive
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword, but a business imperative, the BCC AI Academy is proving to be a game-changer for regional organisations. This is not just theoretical training; it’s a practical, hands-on programme...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members – June
Warm welcome to our newest Members! Apogee Associates Limited – Apogee help you receive R&D tax relief and access innovation grants, providing your business with the funds necessary to fuel your groundbreaking projects. Arden Studio Business Solutions Ltd...
Welcome new Members – June
Warm welcome to our newest Members! Apogee Associates Limited – Apogee help you receive R&D tax relief and access innovation grants, providing your business with the funds necessary to fuel your groundbreaking projects. Arden Studio Business Solutions Ltd...
Policy News
Have Your Say: Herefordshire Council Budget 2026/27 Consultation
Herefordshire Council is inviting residents and businesses to take part in its Budget 2026/27 consultation, giving you the opportunity to have a direct say in how council services are prioritised and where savings may need to be made. The consultation runs from...
Autumn Budget 2025: Your detailed summary
Rachel Reeves’s second Budget boosts welfare spending paid for through stealth tax rises, and taxes on property, savings and dividends. Income tax rates remain unchanged, but frozen thresholds for a further three years and wealth-focused levies do the heavy lifting. ...
Skills News
Worcestershire Apprenticeships Penguin Finds Home with Local Training Provider
Worcestershire Apprenticeships’ very own penguin in the great Waddle of Worcester has found a home with local training provider GLP Training. In the summer of 2024, St Richard’s Hospice delivered the great Waddle of Worcester, a penguin-themed art trail around the...
From Learners to Leaders – Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2025, and we’ve picked our own theme this year, to showcase the journey (our) apprentices take as they evolve on the job – From Learners to Leaders. Apprenticeships are more than just earning a qualification; they’re about...
Charity News
National Charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust marks 10 Years of Funding Vital Research and Supporting Families
2026 sees national charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust mark ten years of incredible achievements in supporting children and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, both through physical support and by funding thousands of pounds into vital research...
ZwickRoell Donates €1,000 to Community First Responders Charity Following Global Fitness Challenge
ZwickRoell has donated €1,000 to the Community First Responders (CFR) Charity following the successful completion of its global “ZwickRoell Runs The World” Challenge, which encouraged employees, customers, and suppliers to stay active while supporting meaningful...
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
BCC News
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Worcestershire News
Valley Railway delivers ‘biggest diesel gala of the year’
The Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival between 15 and 18 May welcomed more than 3,700 visitors and saw 20 locomotives in action, for what organisers believe was 2025’s largest diesel event on the preservation circuit. ‘What a fantastic show we put on!’...
Severn Valley Railway helps local aid charity
The Severn Valley Railway’s paint shop at Bridgnorth had an unusual visitor recently, in the form of a Mitsubishi 4×4 pickup. The SVR was assisting a local charity, Wyre Forest 2 Ukraine, with their efforts in sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The charity...
Herefordshire News
Unlocking Marketing Potential with Mailchimp and Salesforce
At Coacto, we specialise in implementing solutions that empower businesses to streamline processes and maximise the power of Salesforce. As a Salesforce implementation partner, we bring together best-in-class tools to enhance customer relationship management (CRM) and...
New Chief Executive aims to Create a Greener Future for Communities in Warwickshire and Worcestershire
The new Chief Executive of a leading woodland creation and conservation charity which is planting one of the largest forests in England is set to be at the forefront of the fight against climate change in communities across Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The Heart...
All Latest News
Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q1 2026 Report Released
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Report for Q1 2026, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The QES is the UK’s largest independent business survey and provides a key...
Celebrating Our Rising Star: Laura Wins Prestigious Fundraising Award
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity is delighted to share that Laura, our Community and Events Fundraising Officer, has won the Chartered Institute of Fundraising West Midlands Rising Star Award. The award recognises fundraisers across the West Midlands who make an...
UK’S FIRST ON-SITE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TRAINING FACILITY OPENS AT NEW COLLEGE WORCESTER, BUILT THROUGH INDUSTRY COLLABOARTION TO SUPPORT THE VISION IMPAIRED
New College Worcester (NCW), a national residential school for blind and vision impaired young people, has installed a state-of-the-art pedestrian crossing on its campus, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. The Noel Duffy Pedestrian Crossing provides a...
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
“They’re great… but something’s not quite right” – managing early employee performance concerns
You’ll likely know that feeling when someone joins your team and they’re lovely, they’re trying, but something just isn’t quite clicking. A lot of small employers sit with that gut feeling for too long… not because they don’t want to deal with it but...
Worcester Athletes Complete Cutting-Edge Performance Testing Ahead of Huge Relay Attempt
Two brothers from Worcester have taken part in advanced physical testing at the University of Worcester, as they prepare for a two-man continuous relay run from John O’Groats to Land’s End in support of Help for Heroes. Alfie and Joe Pritchard will set off from the...
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