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.

Severn Valley Railway is finalist in Visit Worcestershire Awards
Staff and volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway have a lot to smile about right now, as the leading heritage line has been selected as a finalist in the 2025/2026 Visit Worcestershire Awards. The railway is in the running to scoop the Large Visitor Attraction award....
Latest Article
Severn Valley Railway is finalist in Visit Worcestershire Awards
Staff and volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway have a lot to smile about right now, as the leading heritage line has been selected as a finalist in the 2025/2026 Visit Worcestershire Awards. The railway is in the running to scoop the Large Visitor Attraction award....
Member News
Severn Valley Railway Members back One Railway Restructure
Members of the Severn Valley Railway Company Limited have voted to support the next stage of the SVR’s ambitious restructure plans, known as the One Railway project. At the Company’s Annual General Meeting at Kidderminster Railway Museum on Saturday 9 August, members...
Government-backed Help to Grow Programme Helps Spark 50% Retail Growth for Local Business
The University of Worcester has announced it will be delivering the Help to Grow Management Course for a further 3 years. The part-government-funded initiative is designed for senior leaders to boost business performance and leadership skills. Run by Worcester...
Patron & Strategic News
Students’ Film Shortlisted for Festival Award
A film made by students at the University of Worcester has been shortlisted for an award at the Stratford Film Festival. Ben Monk and Joshua Prior’s film Celestial Intersect, created as part of their studies, is a finalist in the Best Feature category. Winners will be...
Worcester Ready for Clearing
As A-Level Results Day approaches, the University of Worcester is expecting to be inundated with calls as people look for places on courses through Clearing. Clearing at universities is the process where students are matched with available places on courses. Last year...
Chamber News
Dozens of Students Dressed to Impress Thanks to Kind Community Donations
An initiative to help university students dress the part for interviews and placements has proven a huge success. Placements are a big part of courses at the University of Worcester, and students often enter environments where they’re required to dress smartly....
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announce Relaunch of Business Direction Magazine
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce their new partnership with Crosby Media Associates. The Chamber and Crosby Media will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition toward the end of 2025, with October/November and...
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
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...
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...
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
Local Charity Expands with the Opening of “Ledbury Two” – A New Chapter in Support for Children and Adults with Neurological Disorders
Located in the heart of Ledbury, Ledbury Two represents a significant expansion for Megan Baker House (MBH), allowing the organisation to reach more families and meet increasing demand for its specialised programmes. The new facility will offer tailored support for...
Property consultancy’s first charity padel tournament raises £6,000
A national property consultancy’s first charity padel tournament raised £6,000 for four charities – and planning for next year’s competition is already underway. Fisher German’s Development Agency team successfully launched its first-ever charity padel...

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...
BCC 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...
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
Branding with Purpose: Wye Valley Brewery Leads the Conversation at The Marketing Meetup – Worcester
Last week, the Worcester marketing community came together for The Marketing Meetup, this was only the second event – this time sponsored by Nifty Communications and hosted at the co-working space Vinegar Works on Foregate Street. This impactful event brought together...
Winners of the Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024 have been Announced
Industry experts selected the county’s winning tourism businesses in our very first Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards. We’re delighted to congratulate our winners and are super excited that they will be put forward to the VisitEngland Awards of Excellence...
All Latest News
ONE’s 50km Charity Walk in aid of Worcester Snoezelen
As part of their 50th anniversary celebrations multi-disciplinary design company, ONE Creative environments’ (ONE’s) team will be undertaking a range of challenges to raise money for Worcester Snoezelen. This includes a 50km walk, taking place on 11 and 12 September...
Students’ Film Shortlisted for Festival Award
A film made by students at the University of Worcester has been shortlisted for an award at the Stratford Film Festival. Ben Monk and Joshua Prior’s film Celestial Intersect, created as part of their studies, is a finalist in the Best Feature category. Winners will be...
Completion of White Logistics 3rd Warehouse
White Logistics is close to completing its third warehouse at the company’s HQ in Pershore, Worcestershire — boosting overall capacity to 23,000 pallet spaces and enhancing its offer as a complete logistics partner. The new facility, opening September 2025, will add...
OCM promotes Steve Turberfield to Head of Corporate Accounts
OCM is proud to announce the promotion of Steve Turberfield to the role of Head of Corporate Accounts. Steve began his career at OCM in November 2001 as an IT Technician, before stepping into the role of Corporate Account Manager just a year later — a position he held...
Worcester Ready for Clearing
As A-Level Results Day approaches, the University of Worcester is expecting to be inundated with calls as people look for places on courses through Clearing. Clearing at universities is the process where students are matched with available places on courses. Last year...
73082 ‘Camelot’ confirmed for SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed that BR Standard Class 5 73082 ‘Camelot’ will join the line-up for its Autumn Steam Gala between 18 and 21 September It’s the first time this locomotive has ever visited the railway, and organisers says it will work alongside...
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