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.
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Economy Flatlines as Firms Struggle to Invest
Reacting to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data shows the UK economy remains stuck in a worrying low growth trap. “A three-month...
Latest Article
Economy Flatlines as Firms Struggle to Invest
Reacting to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data shows the UK economy remains stuck in a worrying low growth trap. “A three-month...
Member News
We’re all a bit on the spectrum, aren’t we?
Did you ever look at a cave painting and wonder who was the first human to decide “I’m going to mix ash and bone into a paste and wipe it on the walls of my home to represent my tribe and the animals I chase”? Presumably, this wasn’t a normal thought at the...
Students Prepare for Annual 24-Hour CPR Challenge
Student Paramedics at the University of Worcester are gearing up for this year’s CPR Marathon; a non-stop, 24-hour cardiopulmonary resuscitation challenge aimed at raising vital funds for Heart Start Malvern and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Beginning at 9am on...
Patron & Strategic News
Free professional resource for tree selection, planting & climate resilience released
WYEVALE Nurseries in Hereford has released a new free to download Tree Technical Guide – a resource designed specifically for the amenity industry and garden centre plantaria staff (February 2026). The publication consolidates expert practical knowledge with...
Suzanne Richards to Receive Honorary Doctorate and Honorary Fellowship at the University of Worcester
The mother of a student who died in a terrorist attack before he could complete his studies is to be awarded both an Honorary Doctorate and Honorary Fellowship from her son’s university. Suzanne Richards MBE, mother of Joel Richards, will receive her awards at this...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Local Excellence at 2025 Business Awards
On 12 June 2025, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its prestigious Annual Business Awards at the University Arena in Worcester. The event, generously sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, brought...
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...
Our Latest Member
New Strategic Member – Greensafe IT
Greensafe IT specialise in offering secure, sustainable and environmentally responsible IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and lifecycle services. Their goal; to help businesses efficiently manage their IT estates from cradle to grave; ensuring full data security and...
New Strategic Member – Greensafe IT
Greensafe IT specialise in offering secure, sustainable and environmentally responsible IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and lifecycle services. Their goal; to help businesses efficiently manage their IT estates from cradle to grave; ensuring full data security and...
Policy News
Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact
Recruitment remains static with 55% of firms attempting to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q1) Hiring remains challenging despite some respite, with 73% of firms reporting difficulties in Q2 (76% in Q1) Transport and logistics (80%) and...
Bromsgrove District Local Plan – Draft Development Strategy Consultation 30th June – 22nd September
Regulation 18 of the Town and Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Bromsgrove District Council is in the process of reviewing and replacing the Bromsgrove District Plan (adopted January 2017), which will set out where new housing, employment and other...
Skills News
Serco Restart Scheme: providing a free service in your area to fill job vacancies
ChamSerco Restart Scheme: providing a free service in your area to fill job vacancies The Restart Scheme is part of the Government’s wider ‘Plan for Jobs’ programmes to help long-term unemployed people develop their skills so they can find sustainable and meaningful...
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,...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s 2025 Christmas Range Takes Off
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has announced the launch of its 2025 seasonal merchandise collection, which is already proving to be a hit amongst supporters. This year’s festive range features new additions of a star shaped key ring, a tea towel and shopping bag...
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Urges Public to Learn CPR This Restart a Heart Day
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is set to teach lifesaving CPR skills to a further 1,000 people, thanks to generous donation from the charity Get Up Give Back, in support of Restart a Heart Day on Thursday 16th October 2025. Since being founded in 2018, Get Up...
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
Over 275,000 trees planted in the West Midlands over the last three years
Over 275,000 trees have been planted in the West Midlands as part of an ambitious three-year project to benefit the environment and local communities. The Heart of England Forest, in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwick District Council and...
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...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire’s NMITE University Project Announces New £3.5 Million Gift by the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
Herefordshire’s pioneering new university project, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has announced a further major charitable donation as it continues its growth. The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust has agreed to make a grant of £3.5...
Celtic Marches Redesigns Their Labels
Celtic Marches are a single-estate apple cider producer, nestled in a quiet corner of Herefordshire. All apples used in their ciders are taken from their 200 acre orchards on the family farm in Bishops Frome. Being a family run cider maker, they have full control from...
All Latest News
Inflation Eases But Business Costs Still Biting
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “A further easing of inflation, to 3% in January, will be cautiously welcomed by businesses. Firms will be hoping it...
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...
New Invest in Herefordshire service launched to attract business investment and jobs
Herefordshire Council and partners have launched a new Invest in Herefordshire service and website to attract business investment, support growth and create better-paid jobs in the county. With a £3.6 billion economy, more than 10,600 active businesses and a...
Sherlock Holmes Under the Lens in Free Talk at The Hive
A free talk at The Hive will explore the fascinating thinking behind the creation of the most famous fictional detective of all time. Dr Sharon Young, Course Leader for MA English at the University of Worcester will deliver the talk, titled In Search of a Hero:...
Last Chance to See Moving Holocaust Exhibit at The Hive
It’s your last chance to see a powerful exhibition telling moving stories of rescue from the Holocaust at The Hive in Worcester before it moves on. Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue During the Holocaust, presents stories of rescue in fourteen European...
Botany Bay wins National Award!
The team at Redditch garden centre Botany Bay Nurseries are immensely proud to be winners at a prestigious awards. Botany Bay won the Bronze Award for the GTN Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Promotion in their Greatest Christmas Awards 2025. This family-run garden...
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