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.
6 Practical Ways to Prevent Unpaid Invoices in Your Business with Talbots Collect.
Getting paid on time is essential to maintaining healthy cash flow. That’s why we launched Talbots Collect, a new debt recovery solution offering transparent fixed-fee pricing and commercially focused support to help businesses recover outstanding debts quickly and...
Latest Article
6 Practical Ways to Prevent Unpaid Invoices in Your Business with Talbots Collect.
Getting paid on time is essential to maintaining healthy cash flow. That’s why we launched Talbots Collect, a new debt recovery solution offering transparent fixed-fee pricing and commercially focused support to help businesses recover outstanding debts quickly and...
Member News
Hive Invites Community to Create Forget-Me-Not Artwork for Dementia Action Week
The Hive in Worcester is marking Dementia Action Week with a community forget-me-not art project and a talk offering support to people affected by dementia. Creative makers of all ages and abilities are being called on to help create a giant forget-me-not quilt, made...
Wyevale Nurseries appoints new Finance Director
WYEVALE Nurseries in Hereford has announced the appointment of Lisa Edwards as its new Finance Director – strengthening the company’s board as it continues to invest in its long term growth and development (May 2026). Lisa, who is an Associate Chartered Management...
Patron & Strategic News
Could you be a Children’s or Young Adult’s Author? Writer’s Day Invites New Writers in Worcester
Could your idea become the next Charlie and Lola, The Hunger Games, or Where the Wild Things Are? Aspiring writers, experienced authors, and anyone curious about writing for younger audiences are invited to Writer’s Day 2026 at The Hive in Worcester, where this year’s...
Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants Opens New Audit Centre
Leading Worcestershire accountants, Ormerod Rutter, has opened its third premises in Droitwich, Layton House. The new facility serves as a dedicated centre for audit excellence, housing the firm’s rapidly growing audit team. The expansion reflects significant...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members | November
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout November Lucy Labels – A sticker and labelling business offering custom labels. Barclays Greater Birmingham and The Three Counties Corporate – Barclays’ regional corporate banking services for businesses....
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...
Our Latest Member
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Policy News
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Few Signs For Optimism In Labour Market
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS published this morning, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The latest data indicate businesses are still not feeling confident about taking on more staff or...
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
Students Raise Over £1,800 for Worcestershire Charities in 24-Hour CPR Marathon
Student Paramedics at the University of Worcester have successfully completed their 24-hour CPR Marathon, raising more than £1,800 for two local lifesaving charities. Running from 9am on March 16 until 9am the following morning, the endurance event saw staff, students...
OrchardFest 2026 Returns with an Inclusive Summer Celebration
We’re excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest 2026 is returning on Saturday 15th August 2026, and it promises to be bigger, brighter, and more inclusive than ever. Set at the beautiful Orchard Trust Smallholding in Upper Stowfield, Gloucestershire, this...
Recruitment Challenging As New Employment Law Lands
Nearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect,...
BCC News
Recruitment Challenging As New Employment Law Lands
Nearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect,...
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
Turning Risks into Opportunities: How Insurance Can Support Business Growth in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Running a business in Herefordshire and Worcestershire presents fantastic opportunities, but it also involves risks. Whether you’re a manufacturer in Malvern, a farm shop owner in Herefordshire, or a tech start-up in Worcester… growth often means taking on...
Paul Harris Tackles 100km Sahara Trek for Hope For Tomorrow
Paul Harris, founder and principal consultant at Coacto, recently traded the comforts of the office for the scorching sands of the Sahara Desert. His mission? To trek 100 kilometers and raise vital funds for Hope For Tomorrow, a charity that brings mobile cancer care...
All Latest News
Worcester Academic Contributes to New Study Tackling Cultural Loss for Children in Care
An expert from the University of Worcester is partnering on a new nationwide study which will give a voice to children and young people from marginalised communities to address the growing issue of children in care being raised outside their culture. Led by the...
The Ladybird’s Path: Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust Unveils Magical School Garden created by the children it supports at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026
A wonderful, fun-filled day out for families and gardening enthusiasts alike, The RHS Malvern Spring Show Festival 2026 brings with it a plethora of garden ideas with plenty to see and do for all ages. The RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026 (7–10 May) will showcase...
Leading Through Uncertainty
We’re wired to seek certainty. To look for answers, plans, and predictability. But right now? Many leaders are navigating in the dark. Budgets are tightening. Expectations are rising. Job security feels fragile. And your team is looking to you, not for perfect...
Conflict Cuts Middle East Trade By One Fifth
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has revealed a 20% drop in export activity to the Middle East as conflict escalated in March. The findings are based on the number of certificates of origin issued by Chambers of Commerce. These are a...
St Michael’s Hospice charity shop in Ross-on-Wye temporarily closes following neighbouring fire
St Michael’s Hospice has confirmed that its charity shop on Cantilupe Road, Ross-on-Wye is temporarily closed following a significant fire at a neighbouring business last Friday evening (24th April). The fire, which began in the adjacent car MOT garage, caused...
New Headquarters Update- Building What’s Next for Trueline
We’re excited to share some big news… we’ve officially received planning permission for our new facility! Located just over the road from our current site, this marks a significant milestone and the start of the next phase of our growth journey. The latest designs...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here