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.
Realising the strategic value of local supply chains
Offshoring was one of the biggest business trends at the turn of the century but, by the time of the 2008/9 financial crisis, the gloss was already beginning to wear off. Concerns around jobs, quality and service levels, as well as financial interdependence,...
Latest Article
Realising the strategic value of local supply chains
Offshoring was one of the biggest business trends at the turn of the century but, by the time of the 2008/9 financial crisis, the gloss was already beginning to wear off. Concerns around jobs, quality and service levels, as well as financial interdependence,...
Member News
Baton of Hope Tour to Visit Hereford on 2nd October – Shining a Light on Suicide Prevention
The UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative, the Baton of Hope Tour, will arrive in Hereford on Wednesday 2nd October, bringing with it a powerful message of hope, support and community action. The Baton of Hope, a specially designed baton symbolising the...
Dementia Study Finds Meeting Centres Can Triple Investment
A study has found that for every £1 spent on Meeting Centres for people living with dementia in Worcestershire, up to £3 of value can be created. The research, part-funded by the Shaw Foundation and carried out by the University of Worcester based Association for...
Patron & Strategic News
Student’s Guidance to Ensure Men with Eating Disorders don’t Feel Alienated from Seeking Help
A University of Worcester student has created bespoke guidance to help ensure that men with eating disorders feel able to engage with the support they need. George Mycock, who himself experienced eating disorders and body image concerns for over a decade, developed...
Building Futures | Crafting Careers: GLP’s Strategic Training Initiative for Workforce Development
New Strategic Member GLP Training, are committed to empowering people and strengthening regional skills. They have created an initiative that underscores their dedication to nurturing local talent and advancing workforce development through tailored apprenticeship...
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
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Policy News
Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
SME Exporters Hit By New US Customs Charges
Responding to President Trump’s decision to charge import duties for low value goods entering the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This development has been coming for several months but is still a major blow to UK exporters to the US. Smaller firms...
Skills News
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...
Could you host a T Level industry placement?
We’re offering funding to support employers with the essential costs of hosting T Level industry placements starting now through to 31st March 2026. Whether you’re a large organisation or a small business, we can help: Construction Route – Support available for...
Charity News
Bromsgrove law firm raises over £1,600 for local charity
Bromsgrove law firm mfg Solicitors has donated a total of £1,605.50 for local support charity the Rose & Daisy Foundation. Staff at the High Street firm raised £605.50 over the past year through a number of activities and events, including completing 10,318...
Purple Pathways : Brighter Futures for Children – West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC)
Purple Pathways: Brighter Futures for Children WMRSASC has been accepted into the UK’s biggest matched giving campaign – the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025. We’re raising vital funds for our Purple Pathways project, which provides specialist support to children and...
UK Exports To US Hit 3-Year Low
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “Tariff effects are clearly being felt by companies exporting to the US. Total goods exports across the Atlantic for Q2 2025 were 13.5% lower than a year ago. “But the UK’s...
BCC News
UK Exports To US Hit 3-Year Low
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “Tariff effects are clearly being felt by companies exporting to the US. Total goods exports across the Atlantic for Q2 2025 were 13.5% lower than a year ago. “But the UK’s...
Worcestershire News
Main Line Rail Companies Pitch in at the Severn Valley Railway
Thanks to an ambitious and unique joint volunteering effort by many companies across the rail sector, the Severn Valley Railway has succeeded in re-laying track across its newly repaired Mor Brook bridge in Shropshire. This was achieved in record time and at zero...
A Vintage Transport Extravaganza at the SVR in August
A full weekend of heritage trains and classic vehicles awaits as the Severn Valley Railway’s much-loved Vintage Transport Extravaganza rolls in on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August. Just weeks after the railway proudly reopens its full 16.5-mile route from Kidderminster...
Herefordshire News
Hereford Military History Festival Honours Herefordshire History with Network of Local Partners and Community Support
HEREFORD, 19th August 2025 — The inaugural Hereford Military History Festival 2025 is a highly ambitious new addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, which aims to support the city’s local community, celebrate its culture and heritage, and honour its rich military...
McPhillips wins £10m bus station redevelopment contract
West Midlands-based construction company McPhillips has won a £10 million local authority contract to deliver a new and improved bus station. Herefordshire Council announced McPhillips as its official construction partner on the Hereford Transport Hub project, part of...
All Latest News
Keeping Ahead of Change: What New Regulations Mean for Local Business Owners
Running a business is demanding enough without the constant challenge of keeping up with regulatory change. Yet across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, business owners are increasingly finding that compliance with new rules is no longer a side issue — it’s central to...
Game Art Lecturer nominated for Women in Games Award
A University of Worcester lecturer has been nominated for an award for her impact and contributions to education through preparing students for the computer gaming industry. Zara Sharma, Senior Lecturer in Game Art, has been shortlisted for the Educational Impact...
Student’s Guidance to Ensure Men with Eating Disorders don’t Feel Alienated from Seeking Help
A University of Worcester student has created bespoke guidance to help ensure that men with eating disorders feel able to engage with the support they need. George Mycock, who himself experienced eating disorders and body image concerns for over a decade, developed...
Award-winning Herefordshire vineyard collaborates with other vineyards in area to promote English wines
AN AWARD-WINNING Bromsberrow vineyard has joined five other independent vineyards in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire to pool their experience, expertise and reputation for growing great grapes and making excellent wines (September 2025)....
Huge AI Potential To Boost Global Trade
Reacting to the WTO’s publication of its World Trade Report for 2025, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “This report is a call to action for business and policymakers worldwide to ensure we realise the full benefits of AI in boosting global trade,...
Building Futures | Crafting Careers: GLP’s Strategic Training Initiative for Workforce Development
New Strategic Member GLP Training, are committed to empowering people and strengthening regional skills. They have created an initiative that underscores their dedication to nurturing local talent and advancing workforce development through tailored apprenticeship...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here