Business Direction Online
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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.
BCRS Business Loans backs Birmingham teenager to fight for Team England
A 15-year-old Muay Thai boxer from Birmingham has received sponsorship from BCRS Business Loans which will support him to compete for Team England in Thailand. Community lender BCRS Business Loans, based in Wolverhampton, has provided Louis Thompson with sponsorship...
Latest Article
BCRS Business Loans backs Birmingham teenager to fight for Team England
A 15-year-old Muay Thai boxer from Birmingham has received sponsorship from BCRS Business Loans which will support him to compete for Team England in Thailand. Community lender BCRS Business Loans, based in Wolverhampton, has provided Louis Thompson with sponsorship...
Member News
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...
Rainbow Run Returns!
Rainbow Run – Where Fun Meets Colour! Get ready to run, walk, skip, or dance your way through a kaleidoscope of colour! Our Rainbow Run is a 5km celebration of joy, laughter, and community spirit. Along the route, you’ll be showered in vibrant bursts of coloured...
Patron & Strategic News
Solicitor issues alert to businesses ahead of Employment law changes
One of the county’s leading employment lawyers has urged business to ensure they are prepared and have ‘ticked all the boxes’ ahead of sweeping changes to Employment laws. Sally Morris, partner and head of employment at law firm mfg Solicitors, has taken steps to warn...
Marathon Efforts Step Up as University Fundraising Total Exceeds £80K
The University of Worcester’s fundraising drive has surged beyond the £80,000 mark, as two colleagues enter the final stages of training for next month’s London Marathon in support of students facing financial hardship. Chris Garratt, Deputy Chief Information Officer...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members October
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout October. TR Solar & Roofing – provides expert solar installations and roofing solutions to make your home energy-efficient and sustainable Exceptional Development – empowers individuals and...
Bradey Thomas MP Q&A: Chamber Hosts Engaging Session on Local Priorities
Last week, the Chamber of Commerce hosted a highly successful session with Bradley Thomas MP for Bromsgrove and The Villages at the Heart of Worcestershire College in Bromsgrove. The event brought together business leaders, education representatives, and community...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members – April
Warmest welcome to our newest Members: Abacus Nursery School ( Bromsgrove) Limited – Early Years Care and Education provider. Aspenify UK Limited – Aspenify offers a low-code digital platform that enables organisations to scale innovation, accelerate...
Welcome new Members – April
Warmest welcome to our newest Members: Abacus Nursery School ( Bromsgrove) Limited – Early Years Care and Education provider. Aspenify UK Limited – Aspenify offers a low-code digital platform that enables organisations to scale innovation, accelerate...
Policy News
Sluggish Economy Demands Strong Business Support
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 data...
Key Employment Law Updates: Autumn 2025
1. Fire and Rehire – Government Softens Proposed BanThe Employment Rights Bill continues to target “fire and rehire” tactics, where employers dismiss staff to impose new terms. Dismissals linked to restricted variations (e.g. reductions in pay, hours, pensions, or...
Skills News
Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces
Kelly White, Managing Director of Number Fifteen Recruitment, has spent the last three months studying for a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace, and is now sharing best practice with local employers...
Blue Print Direct Mail utilise TDM’s Tech and Digital Skills Bootcamp to upskill five staff members
Blue Print Direct Mail recently completed a bespoke TDM Skills Bootcamp, upskilling five members of their team to utilise a new software being introduced by the organisation. The bespoke Skills Bootcamp focused on the fundamentals of HTML and CSS, with Managing...
Charity News
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training for Those Supporting Veterans
PAPYRUS has been awarded funding by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to provide fully funded suicide prevention training for those working with or supporting veterans. The aim is to equip participants with skills to identify warning signs, intervene effectively, and...
Empowering Practitioners to Better Support Care Leavers
We have one more Training for Practitioners working with Care Leavers and their families in the community or at work! Wed 17th Dec – Caring for Care Leavers Training – 09.30-2.30pm – see enclosed leaflet for more...
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
Rip-roaring fun as the Severn Valley Railway steps back to the 1940s
The Severn Valley Railway is recreating the spirit of the British Home Front across two weekends in June, for its ever-popular Step Back to the 1940s events. On 7/8 June and 14/15 June, the heritage line is hosting a festival of forties-themed fun, with music,...
Roster grows for SVR’s Spring Diesel Festival
A matching pair of guests are to join the line-up at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival. Colas have agreed to send two of their Class 56s to appear at the four-day event between 15 and 18 May. They join the already-confirmed visitor list, which...
Herefordshire News
Rotherwood Healthcare Launches Pioneering Wellness Programme to Enhance Resident Well-Being
Rotherwood Healthcare, an award-winning healthcare provider, is excited to announce the official launch of its Rotherwood Wellness Programme, a pioneering initiative designed to enhance the health and well-being of residents across its care homes. This...
Rotherwood Care Homes Celebrate Harvest Festival with Charity and Donations
Herefordshire-based nursing homes, Kington Court, Lynhales Hall and Hampton Grange & Gwen Walford recently celebrated their Harvest Festival event, showcasing the spirit community, charity, and gratitude. Each home hosted a MacMillan Coffee Morning, raising vital...
All Latest News
Marches HR continues growth with second team appointment
The Herefordshire-based, independent HR consultancy supporting small businesses and charities has welcomed Annette to the team as HR Advisor. Annette’s appointment builds on the business’ recent growth and reflects increasing demand for practical, personal HR support...
Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? Podcast is Back for Season 2
The second season of Dandelion Video Production’s jobs and careers podcast “What Do You Do?” has launched this week. The podcast examines jobs most people don’t know anything about, and explores unique approaches on ones we think we do. Initially launched in January...
Help Us Build the Future at Malvern Cube
Since opening in 2012, the Cube has become a vibrant community hub, rescued from closure by local people. Today, it’s a welcoming space with a busy café at its heart, hosting events, arts, and entertainment, while offering meeting and performance spaces for hire. It...
Reflections on Neurodiversity Celebration Week: neuroinclusion works best when it is designed into everyday systems rather than bolted on for specific individuals.
To mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026, the ‘Implementing Neuroinclusive Practices in the Workplace’ panel brought together passionate voices from across business, including Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce members Holly Bolt of Nurturingnd and...
Why Insurance Brokers Ask So Many Questions
Why Brokers Ask Detailed Questions For many small business owners, arranging insurance can feel overly detailed.Questions about operations, contracts, turnover, property use or future plans may seem excessive when you simply want cover in place. In reality, these...
Addressing the Illusion of Protection
In the UK, incorporation is often perceived as a shield. The concept of “limited liability” gives many business owners and directors confidence that their personal assets are protected from business risk. While this is partly true, it can also create a false sense of...
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