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.
University Expert’s Tips on How to Finish a Novel, Not Just Start One!
A University of Worcester expert will share her insider tips on not just starting a novel, but actually finishing one, in a special workshop at The Hive. Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Ruth Stacey, will be leading a free session on this topic on February 18 (5pm)....
Latest Article
University Expert’s Tips on How to Finish a Novel, Not Just Start One!
A University of Worcester expert will share her insider tips on not just starting a novel, but actually finishing one, in a special workshop at The Hive. Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Ruth Stacey, will be leading a free session on this topic on February 18 (5pm)....
Member News
‘Inspiring’ Worcester Graduate’s Free Physiotherapy Clinic Passes 120 Appointments as Funding Extended into 2027
A University of Worcester graduate who set up a free physiotherapy clinic for local residents says he’s delighted after receiving an extension of community funding that will allow the service to continue into next year. Physiotherapy graduate Oliver Nightingale, who...
Emily Newman Goes the Distance for Meningitis Now
Local Director & Financial Adviser, Emily Newman from JNFP, is swapping her desk in Droitwich for the streets of London in April when she takes on the epic challenge of the annual London Marathon. Her chosen charity, Meningitis Now, is in its 40th year of fighting...
Patron & Strategic News
Wyevale Nurseries offers expert advice for retail customers on plants that can tolerant climate change
WYEVALE Nurseries is providing free expert advice this year on plants garden centres can offer customers that will both survive very wet and drought conditions (February 2026). As one of the UK’s longest established commercial horticultural businesses, the...
Research Project to Break Down Barriers to Nature for People with Dementia
A new study will help break down barriers to outdoor spaces for millions of people affected by dementia. The research, led by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) in collaboration with Natural England and a range of leading health and...
Chamber News
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...
Opportunity for Local Businesses to Connect with Major Buyers this February
The popular Meet the Buyer Conference, sponsored by Worcestershire Growth Hub, is set to return on Friday 6 February 2026, offering businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire a valuable opportunity to connect directly with major buyers and procurement...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
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
Top 100 recognition for Apprenticeship programme
Bishop Fleming has ranked 11th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025, its highest-ever position for its highly impressive apprenticeship programme. It is ahead of national professional services firms, including KPMG, EY, BDO, Mazars, and Azets. The...
Level 4 HNC and/or Level 5 HND in Leadership & Management
Designed to develop your knowledge of team leadership and management from a management perspective, this HTQ aims to enhance your skills to progress into employment across a wide range of industries. The purpose of the qualification is to develop students as...
Charity News
Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust response to the release of the Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust warmly welcomes the publication of the Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan, and we are particularly encouraged to see a dedicated section focusing on children and young people. This represents a significant and long-overdue step...
Introducing Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO)
Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO) is a local charity working to reduce waste, support households in need, and keep reusable goods and materials in circulation across the county. We joined the Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce with a clear purpose:...
EU Reset Must Reverse Trade Slump
In new survey data, the percentage of businesses reporting increased export orders has fallen to 21% in Q4 2025, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 A further 50% report no change, while 28% report a decrease Smaller and medium sized businesses have been hit much harder than...
BCC News
EU Reset Must Reverse Trade Slump
In new survey data, the percentage of businesses reporting increased export orders has fallen to 21% in Q4 2025, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 A further 50% report no change, while 28% report a decrease Smaller and medium sized businesses have been hit much harder than...
Worcestershire News
Budget consultation for businesses
Worcester City Council is the only organisation exclusively dedicated to serving Worcester’s 106,700 residents, but we face tough decisions as we consider how your money should be spent and what our priorities should be for the year ahead. Every year the Council is...
Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year
We’re so proud that Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year, and public voting is still open! Cast your vote now: https://elevatorworld.com/contests/product-of-the-year/ If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, we’d really...
Herefordshire News
Mandatory certification requirements for professional rodenticide purchase came into force January 1, 2026 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
PGM Pest Control is urging UK businesses, farmers, and pest control professionals to review their rodent management following major regulatory changes that came into force on 1 January 2026 under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime. The updated rules mean that...
Celebrating excellence in apprenticeships
We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the first-ever Herefordshire Apprenticeship Awards. Hosted by Herefordshire Growth Hub in partnership with Herefordshire Council and local training organisations, these awards will recognise and celebrate:...
All Latest News
John Truslove warns industrial and logistics sector with business rates set to rise 21% for many firms
West Midlands industrial and logistics businesses face a triple whammy in 2026 with business rates facing an average increase of 21% due to the upcoming 2026 revaluation. On top of the increase to Employers’ NI and increase in the National Minimum Wage, industrial and...
WLZ Tutors Opens New Worcester Centre with Student Wellbeing at Its Heart
WLZ Tutors has embarked on an exciting new chapter with the launch of its Worcester centre at The Triangle. In October 2025, WLZ Tutors said a fond farewell to its previous Worcester setting, which provided a warm and welcoming space for learners for many years. The...
Research Project to Break Down Barriers to Nature for People with Dementia
A new study will help break down barriers to outdoor spaces for millions of people affected by dementia. The research, led by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) in collaboration with Natural England and a range of leading health and...
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) 1 is Now Open – Have Your Say
The first Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) of the year is now open, and the Chamber is encouraging businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to take part. Running from 9 January to 2 March, QES 1 provides businesses with the opportunity to share their...
arrangeMY Managing Director Nick Scott wins Agency Leader of the Year at the beam Awards
arrangeMY is proud to announce that its Managing Director, Nick Scott, has been named Agency Leader of the Year at the inaugural beam Awards, held at The Belfry Hotel. The beam Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership across the business travel, meetings...
Free 30-minute parking to be extended to on-street parking in Hereford city centre
Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet has today (Thursday 5 Feb) agreed to extend its planned 30-minute free parking scheme to include on-street parking in Hereford city centre, responding to feedback from local businesses and residents. The decision builds on the Council’s...
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