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.
University Lecturer Co‑Edits New Anthology Supporting Carers
A University of Worcester lecturer has co-edited a new anthology exploring the realities of caregiving, with all proceeds being donated to a vital local charity. Craft of Care, collated and edited by Dr Charley Barnes from the University of Worcester alongside fellow...
Latest Article
University Lecturer Co‑Edits New Anthology Supporting Carers
A University of Worcester lecturer has co-edited a new anthology exploring the realities of caregiving, with all proceeds being donated to a vital local charity. Craft of Care, collated and edited by Dr Charley Barnes from the University of Worcester alongside fellow...
Member News
Celebrating Apprenticeships: How TDM and Jess Gladston Champion Lifelong Learning
As we mark the end of National Apprenticeship Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the transformative power of apprenticeships — both for individuals and for businesses. Our patron member, The Development Manager (TDM), has been at the forefront of this movement,...
Kidderminster College Receives FE First Award
Kidderminster College is celebrating after winning two prestigious accolades at the College Marketing Network’s FE First Awards 2026, recognising excellence, innovation and impact across further education marketing. Kidderminster College was awarded gold in the...
Patron & Strategic News
Medical Students Fund Trip to Air Ambulance with Malvern Hills Trek
Medical Students at the University of Worcester have walked the length of the Malvern Hills to raise money for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Members of the Worcester Emergency Medicine Society are planning to visit the Midlands Air Ambulance base in Strensham, to...
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training opportunities
We’re excited to share that new fully funded suicide prevention training sessions are now open for booking! Please pass this on to your networks and local groups across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Suicide First Aid Lite – Fully Funded Online Training Five...
Chamber News
The Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 is now Live
The Quarterly Economic Survey is among the largest business surveys in the UK, making it a key resource for the government to conduct case studies and access up-to-date statistics on businesses across the UK. The Survey consists of questions on several topics,...
Worcestershire businesses urged to ‘power up’ productivity and plug skills gaps with Skills Bootcamps
Businesses across Worcestershire are being urged to take advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training programmes designed to upskill staff, fill skills gaps, and support long-term growth. Funded by the Department for Education and managed locally by...
Our Latest Member
Welcome to our New Members – March 2025
Our warmest welcome to our new members – AJB Sports in Education – Sports Coaching company proudly working Pre Schools and Primary schools, running Girls Football, Childrens Birthday Parties and Childrens Holiday Camps in Worcester. With an innovative...
Welcome to our New Members – March 2025
Our warmest welcome to our new members – AJB Sports in Education – Sports Coaching company proudly working Pre Schools and Primary schools, running Girls Football, Childrens Birthday Parties and Childrens Holiday Camps in Worcester. With an innovative...
Policy News
Small Business Plan ‘Important Step Forward’
Responding to the launch of the Government’s Small Business Plan, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “This is a much-needed step forward in recognition and support for SMEs, which are the backbone of the UK economy. Late payments, access to finance and...
Government Must Harness Retail Investor Optimism
Over half of retail investors (53%) are optimistic about their investments over the next twelve months (compared to 42% in May) 40% of investors expect to increase the amount of money they invest over the next twelve months Younger investors are most confident, with...
Skills News
The Power of People-First Leadership.
Great businesses are both smart and healthy. You can invest in all of the technology, marketing, operational efficiencies you like, but the real measure of success is how willing your people are to engage in it. In fact, there is no shortage of smart leaders who know...
National success for the Serco Restart Scheme and One Stop
The Serco Restart Scheme has been working with One Stop, a retail convenience business with over 900 shops, since July 2022. Serco Restart Scheme Employer Engagement Coordinator, Hannah Monaghan, met Campbell Hutchison, People Partner for One Stop, via a mutual...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Celebrated as an Outstanding Workplace for Third Time
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is proud to announce that it has once again been recognised with the Outstanding Workplace Award by leading management consultancy People Insight, following an exceptional 93% employee engagement score in its latest annual Staff Survey....
KEMP Hospice Santa Fun Run Returns with a New Festive Home in Wolverley
The countdown to Christmas is on, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by taking part in the jolliest jog of the year: the return of KEMP Hospice’s much-loved Santa Fun Run, launching this year from a brand-new location. On Sunday 7th December 2025,...
Rate Cut Christmas Cheer for Business
Responding to the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s interest rate cut to 3.75%, is a much-needed Christmas gift for businesses across the UK. However, unwrapping growth...
BCC News
Rate Cut Christmas Cheer for Business
Responding to the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s interest rate cut to 3.75%, is a much-needed Christmas gift for businesses across the UK. However, unwrapping growth...
Worcestershire News
Third visitor announced for Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival
Organisers have confirmed that a pair of HST powercars will join the guest line-up at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival. Nos 43480 and 43468 from Rail Adventure will appear at the four-day event, which takes place between 15 and 18 May. The HST...
‘Steam into Stories’ on Board a Heritage Train
The Severn Valley Railway is offering a treat for young people, with a special on-train storytelling session. On Saturday 12 April, best-selling author Sam Sedgman will be reading from his railway-based adventure stories for children aged seven and over, on board a...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Path to Net Zero
Educational institutions play a key role in promoting sustainable energy resources. Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Low Carbon Technology Training Centre showcases this approach by offering specialised courses in renewable technologies, which for a...
Wye Valley Brewery Empower Business School Alumni Witnessing Sustainability in Action
Wye Valley Brewery recently hosted the University of Worcester Business School’s alumni for an exclusive event, with a special emphasis on sustainability. The event was designed to inspire and support local business leaders who have completed the ‘Help to Grow:...
All Latest News
A Life in Technology: John Legge’s Journey Through Computing and Training
John Legge our IT trainer of many years has written his first book of his career in computing and business including of course the many years he’s delivered courses on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. Although John runs almost entirely just Excel training currently...
1276 Wines Launches New Corporate Experiences Package in Herefordshire
Ledbury, Herefordshire – 1276 Wines is delighted to announce the launch of its new Corporate Experiences Package, offering businesses a distinctive venue for meetings, team-building days, and client entertainment set against the backdrop of vineyard with a remarkable...
Using a mobile for warehouse management
Many things have changed in the process of organising stock in the past few years. Very few business can afford to run a paper based system and still remain efficient. If have anything more than a few products and 100 orders a day, then you need to invest in some sort...
University of Worcester Graduate Champions Inclusivity for Disabled Young People in Worcestershire
A graduate of the University of Worcester is making a difference to disabled people in Worcestershire as part of a forum aimed at improving accessibility and inclusivity. Christian Wilson has joined Voices United Worcestershire, a forum for young people up to 25 years...
MYTH: “AEDs are too complicated for the public to use.”
TRUTH: They’re designed to guide you—step-by-step—to help save a life. What are AEDs and where are they? You’ve likely seen them—those bright yellow, green, or white boxes on walls in train stations, airports, village halls, supermarkets, or even old phone...
Tariff fatigue has set in among UK businesses
New polling on the initial reaction to the Greenland tariff threat David Bharier, Head of Research, British Chambers of Commerce Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose tariffs on UK goods over Greenland has landed with less shock than exhaustion. New polling by the...
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