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.

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Member News

Get Expo Ready with One Local Collaboration

Get Expo Ready with One Local Collaboration

Exhibiting at a business expo is a brilliant way to raise your profile, meet potential clients and start valuable conversations. But getting ready can quickly become a juggling act of banners, photography, leaflets, business cards and branded merchandise. That’s why...

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Patron & Strategic News

Arena Team Goes the Distance for Diabetes Charity

Arena Team Goes the Distance for Diabetes Charity

Colleagues at the University of Worcester are preparing to take part in the Worcester City Runs next month in support of a diabetes charity with special significance to the team. Four colleagues from the University of Worcester Arena will be joined by a former member...

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Chamber News

Our Latest Member

Welcome New Members August

Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....

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Welcome New Members August

Welcome New Members August

Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....

Policy News

Eight days left to file your Self Assessment

Eight days left to file your Self Assessment

Eight days until 31 January Self Assessment deadline Miss the deadline and you may face an automatic £100 penalty File your return now at GOV.UK and pay any tax due by 31 January – help and support available online With just over a week until the Self Assessment...

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Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High

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...

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Skills News

The Power of People-First Leadership.

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...

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National success for the Serco Restart Scheme and One Stop

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...

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Charity News

Get Festival-Ready For OrchardFest

Get Festival-Ready For OrchardFest

Our accessible music festival OrchardFest 2026 is just around the corner, and the official merchandise shop is now live! From comfy hoodies to classic T-shirts and stylish bucket hats, it’s a brilliant way to get into the festival spirit. Merchandise Deadline:  Order...

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UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build

UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build

The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1.  The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...

BCC News

UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build

The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1.  The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...

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Worcestershire News

‘Steam into Stories’ on Board a Heritage Train

‘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...

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Herefordshire News

All Latest News

University Bids Farewell to ‘Lovely Sue’

University Bids Farewell to ‘Lovely Sue’

A much-loved colleague of the University of Worcester has retired after 38 years of loyal and dedicated service. Sue Hudson, known as ‘Sue My Lovely’ to colleagues, students and visitors because of the friendly way she greets people, began her career at what was then...

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Economic Priorities For Government: Productivity

Economic Priorities For Government: Productivity

The UK has a new Prime Minister who has promised to revive the nation’s economic fortunes. But he follows a succession of PMs who have pledged the same without ever managing to consistently deliver. At the British Chambers of Commerce, we think about little else than...

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Defence Investment – A Challenge The UK Cannot Get Wrong

Defence Investment – A Challenge The UK Cannot Get Wrong

The Autumn Budget will contain a political hand grenade for the new Chancellor John Healey to defuse in the shape of the Defence Investment Plan.  The initial announcement on defence spending at the end of June 2026, left several unresolved funding commitments to be...

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