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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.
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New Tariff Rate A Further Blow To Business
Reacting to the decision by the US President to raise his new tariffs under section 122 of the Trade Act 1974 to 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The 40,000 UK companies exporting goods to the US will be dismayed at this latest turn...
Latest Article
New Tariff Rate A Further Blow To Business
Reacting to the decision by the US President to raise his new tariffs under section 122 of the Trade Act 1974 to 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The 40,000 UK companies exporting goods to the US will be dismayed at this latest turn...
Member News
National Charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust marks 10 Years of Funding Vital Research and Supporting Families
2026 sees national charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust mark ten years of incredible achievements in supporting children and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, both through physical support and by funding thousands of pounds into vital research...
BCRS Business Loans passes £10m milestone for CIEF investment in jobs and growth
Community business finance provider BCRS Business Loans has lent more than £10m to generate job creation and economic growth through the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF). The Wolverhampton-based lender has delivered £10.3m in loans to 121 companies,...
Patron & Strategic News
Exploring God’s Presence in Jewish Responses to the Holocaust
An academic from the University of Worcester will examine how Jewish thinkers have understood God’s presence before, during and after the Holocaust in a free event at The Hive. Dr Luke Devine, Head of History and Sociology at the University of Worcester, will deliver...
New partner joins to bolster law firm’s agriculture and rural affairs team
Law firm mfg Solicitors has strengthened its nationally-recognised Agriculture and Rural Affairs department with appointment of a new partner. Experienced solicitor Neil Harrison has rejoined the firm after over 12 years working as an internal legal counsel in the...
Chamber News
FREE Fully Funded Training Now Available Through Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce an exciting new opportunity for businesses and individuals, made possible through our partnership with Heart of Worcestershire College. Until 31 July 2025, the majority of our training...
Worcester to Welcome England Rugby Star at Free Event
A former England Rugby star is set to speak at a local networking event hosted by the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Simon Shaw, ex-England international and Wasps Rugby legend, is set to make an appearance at the Herefordshire &...
Our Latest Member
New podcast launches for International Women’s Day ‘Females in their Field’
Women living, working and running businesses in rural areas now have a podcast and support activities focusing on their wellbeing needs and the unique challenges and solutions found when delivering a rural enterprise. Jennifer Barnes and Carrie Orgee have been running...
New podcast launches for International Women’s Day ‘Females in their Field’
Women living, working and running businesses in rural areas now have a podcast and support activities focusing on their wellbeing needs and the unique challenges and solutions found when delivering a rural enterprise. Jennifer Barnes and Carrie Orgee have been running...
Policy News
UK Trade Stabilises After Tariff Hit
Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “UK trade showed signs of stabilising in May as the initial impact of higher US tariffs began to subside. “Services exports and imports showed steady month on month...
Fragile Growth as Business Confidence Struggles
Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s GDP figures, showing growth of 0.5% in the three months to May, but a fall of 0.1% in the month, reinforce the view that UK growth remains...
Skills News
Why stay interviews are the perfect antidote to exit interviews.
Recruitment is still a significant challenge for many businesses and, with the average cost of replacing just one leaver at £30K, now’s the time to think about stay interviews. By incorporating light touch stay questions into your regular one to one conversations,...
Faun Zoeller UK committed to hire five apprentices in 2023
FAUN- Zoeller UK (FZUK) continue to foster the next generation of talent by hiring talent through apprenticeship schemes which sees candidates who have completed their schooling, college or university be fully integrated into the workplace. The group has recently...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity receives £13,000 donation from Hereford’s KGD Industrial Services
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is flying high after a generous donation of £13,000, following the success of a lively charity dinner held by Hereford’s own, KGD Industrial Services. KGD Industrial Services, which specialises in designing and manufacturing process...
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
BCC News
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
Worcestershire News
Supporters Rally Round after the Severn Valley Railway Suffers Devastating Landslip
As investigations continue into a devastating landslip on its line, the Severn Valley Railway has released dramatic new images of the damage caused and has paid tribute to the hundreds of people who’ve already made donations to help it pay for remedial work. The...
Land slippage on the Severn Valley Railway will affect some Services
A serious embankment failure has occurred on the Severn Valley Railway, leaving the track impassable at one location along the 16-mile route. The popular heritage line is likely to face a large repair bill, and disruption to services at the northern end of its route....
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire’s Two Farmers Headline at Greener Footprints Week Event
Businesses and organisations across Herefordshire are being invited to join a special networking breakfast event at The Shell Store at Skylon Park next Tuesday [11 June], hosted by Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Means Business and part of next week’s Greener...
DISCOVER PARKS SUPPORT WEST MIDLANDS REFUGE
A Herefordshire holiday park has donated another thousand pounds, this time to a Wolverhampton charity that provides practical and emotional support to women and children facing domestic abuse. ‘The Haven’, was nominated to receive the donation by a holiday home owner...
All Latest News
REHAU Decarbonises District Heating Deliveries by Fuelling Lorries with HVO
REHAU has improved the end-to-end sustainability of its district heating business by considering the impact of product delivery, switching to powering 85% of its lorries with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in partnership with CEVA Logistics. Recent UK government...
NMITE AND THE BRITISH ARMY UNVEIL DETAIL OF THE NEW UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS
Event attended by Al Carns MP, Minister for the Armed Forces 21 January 2026 – Following on from the December announcement of its new Autonomous Robotics degree, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) hosted an event today in conjunction...
Ballards strengthens private client capability with senior tax partner hire
(from left to right): Tim Lynch, Private Client Tax Partner, Martin Adams, Head of tax. Ballards LLP has appointed Tim Lynch as Private Client Tax Partner, strengthening its senior advisory capability as part of the firm’s long term growth strategy across...
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...
Inflation Waters Remain Choppy
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the Office for National Statistics, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data is a stark reminder that the UK inflation waters remain choppy. “With CPI rising to 3.4%...
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