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.
Finalists and sponsors confirmed for 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The finalists and sponsors have been announced for the prestigious 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. Over 30 finalists have been announced for 2026 from across 10 categories. These categories recognising the very best apprentices, employers, training...
Latest Article
Finalists and sponsors confirmed for 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The finalists and sponsors have been announced for the prestigious 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. Over 30 finalists have been announced for 2026 from across 10 categories. These categories recognising the very best apprentices, employers, training...
Member News
Build it or buy it? A short guide for growing businesses
Many small business websites run on a handful of off-the-shelf tools. A booking plugin, a contact form, maybe a gallery add-on. For plenty of businesses, that’s exactly the right amount of website, and there’s no reason to change it. The interesting...
Autumn funding for local communities
One of the county’s largest charitable grant makers is launching a new round of the Strengthening Worcestershire grant making programme, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council. Through the first two funding rounds in 2024 and 2025, £287,000 has been...
Patron & Strategic News
Build it or buy it? A short guide for growing businesses
Many small business websites run on a handful of off-the-shelf tools. A booking plugin, a contact form, maybe a gallery add-on. For plenty of businesses, that’s exactly the right amount of website, and there’s no reason to change it. The interesting...
The Value of Work Experience: Building Future Talent Through Vocational Education
At Kidderminster College, we are committed to helping vocational students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen industries. Work experience is a key part of this, providing valuable opportunities for students to apply their...
Chamber News
International Trade Forum Delivers Expert Insights on Global Growth and Trade Success
International Trade Forum – 25th August 2026 Speakers from DRP Group, Bishops Fleming and the most recent winner of the Chamber of Commerce Global Trade Business of the Year Award, Kimal PLC, explored their experiences in international trade and how they were helped...
DBT changes to DBIST and reducing numbers
DBT changes to DBIST and reduce numbers The new department absorbs parts of the former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Investment Security Unit, merging science and innovation directly with trade and business. Headcount Reductions...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Padelheim: New business venture in Redditch launches with Open Day this weekend!
Redditch-based premium indoor padel, fitness and social club Padelheim has joined the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce as it officially open its doors to the community. Located at South Moons Moat, Redditch, Padelheim is a state-of-the-art indoor...
Introducing Padelheim: New business venture in Redditch launches with Open Day this weekend!
Redditch-based premium indoor padel, fitness and social club Padelheim has joined the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce as it officially open its doors to the community. Located at South Moons Moat, Redditch, Padelheim is a state-of-the-art indoor...
Policy News
British Chambers of Commerce Calls for Budget Action to Cut Business Costs
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to reduce the rising costs faced by UK businesses. According to the BCC, increasing government-driven costs are damaging business confidence, limiting investment, and slowing...
Behind the scenes: The Chamber work delivering results for Members
From influencing national policy to solving local business challenges, much of the Chamber’s most valuable work happens behind the scenes. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Director of Business Engagement & Policy Robert Elliot talks to...
Skills News
Surprise Fall In Unemployment But Threat Remains
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While unemployment has seen a surprise fall to 4.9%, the expectation is that it will rise this year as business...
Skills Planning Vital To Tackle Gen Z Drift
A new report on a pioneering scheme for business-led skills planning in England has identified a pressing need to better engage Generation Z with the workplace. The analysis of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) found they have engaged thousands of people and...
Charity News
A night to remember: St Michael’s Hospice Winter Ball is now open for bookings!
The St Michael’s Hospice Winter Ball is now open for bookings. Please help to make this a night to remember! Here’s a few more details: When? Saturday 28th November 6.30 pm to Midnight Where? The Basement at Whitestone, Hereford. HR1 3SE. For one night only this...
Primrose Partners Networking Dinner
Primrose Hospice will host an inspiring Networking Dinner at Hogarths Stone Manor, Kidderminster (DY10 4PJ), on Thursday 1 October 2026. Primrose Partners and other local businesses interested in learning more about the Hospice’s work are invited to join the...
BCC Economic Forecast: Weak Business Investment Hits Growth Outlook
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Economic Forecast suggests the outlook for the UK will remain uncertain. While the economy was more resilient in Q2 than expected, higher energy and business costs are likely to keep growth weak this year and next. The key...
BCC News
BCC Economic Forecast: Weak Business Investment Hits Growth Outlook
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Economic Forecast suggests the outlook for the UK will remain uncertain. While the economy was more resilient in Q2 than expected, higher energy and business costs are likely to keep growth weak this year and next. The key...
Worcestershire News
Free bus travel for all veterans and serving personnel launching
Veterans and serving armed forces personnel across Worcestershire will soon be able to travel for free on buses. The new scheme provides free travel on the county’s commercial bus network and the Worcestershire on Demand service for veterans and serving personnel who...
WORCESTER STREET SIXES RETURNS TO THE CITY CENTRE THIS JULY
Worcestershire Cricket Foundation is inviting businesses from across the county to take part in Worcester Street Sixes, returning to the heart of the city on Wednesday 15 July 2026. Set across Cathedral Square and Worcester High Street, the event will once again...
Herefordshire News
Neurodiversity in Business Co- working: a neuroaffirming, sensory friendly, supportive environment for work and learning.
Nurturingnd is pleased announce a new addition to its service line up: neurodiversity in business co-working at The Shell Store, Hereford. The first session will be on Thursday 21st May and will include: • Three hours access to space and support 9.30am-12.30pm • Free...
Luctonians Sports Club investing in the future of Herefordshire’s young people
Luctonians Sports Club continues to invest in the next generation across Herefordshire, having engaged more than 20,000 children through its schools’ outreach programme since 1993 and raised over £250,000 for local charities since 2016. Today, the club is home to more...
All Latest News
Budget Must Back Business, Cut Costs and Deliver Growth
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on Chancellor, John Healey, to ‘Back Business, Cut Costs and Deliver Growth’ in his first Budget statement. With BCC research showing fragile business confidence, its budget submission asks the Chancellor to give...
The Value of Work Experience: Building Future Talent Through Vocational Education
At Kidderminster College, we are committed to helping vocational students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen industries. Work experience is a key part of this, providing valuable opportunities for students to apply their...
Student Support and Fundraising at the Heart of University’s Award Finalist Places
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Support for Students award in the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards for the efforts of staff to raise money for student scholarships and hardship funds. It’s one of four awards that the...
New Book Reveals Surprising Way Countries Judge Each Other’s Human Rights Records
An expert in law will launch his latest book at The Hive next month, shedding light on the way United Nations member states assess each other’s human rights records. Dr Michael Lane, Lecturer in Law at the University of Worcester, will explore the Universal Periodic...
Pioneering pilot gives Herefordshire students an insight into construction
One of the region’s biggest construction firms has given students across Herefordshire an insight into careers in the sector through a pioneering new programme. Multi award-winning firm McPhillips, which is delivering a new £10m transport hub in Hereford, was...
A night to remember: St Michael’s Hospice Winter Ball is now open for bookings!
The St Michael’s Hospice Winter Ball is now open for bookings. Please help to make this a night to remember! Here’s a few more details: When? Saturday 28th November 6.30 pm to Midnight Where? The Basement at Whitestone, Hereford. HR1 3SE. For one night only this...
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