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.
Thorlux Lighting celebrates 90 years at the forefront of UK luminaire manufacturing
Redditch, UK, July 2026 – UK-based lighting manufacturer Thorlux Lighting is marking its 90th anniversary with a series of events in September and the opening of a refreshed visitor centre at its Redditch, Worcestershire headquarters. The festivities will include a...
Latest Article
Thorlux Lighting celebrates 90 years at the forefront of UK luminaire manufacturing
Redditch, UK, July 2026 – UK-based lighting manufacturer Thorlux Lighting is marking its 90th anniversary with a series of events in September and the opening of a refreshed visitor centre at its Redditch, Worcestershire headquarters. The festivities will include a...
Member News
Imagine achieving success without the constant pressure.
Many successful people appear confident, accomplished and in control. Yet behind the scenes, their minds never seem to switch off. Even when the working day ends, they’re still analysing, planning, worrying or replaying decisions. Over time, this constant mental...
Local biodiversity focused business Niche – named finalist in prestigious RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Awards
A Herefordshire-based, nature-based solutions manufacturer has earned national recognition after being named a finalist in the RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Awards 2026. Niche, a family-run business who design and manufacture innovative...
Patron & Strategic News
Promotions across Private Client and Family teams at SME Solicitors
At the beginning of April, SME Solicitors announced several leadership and role changes across the firm. Amanda Piper has become Head of Court of Protection, Probate & Trusts within the Private Client team. Amanda joined the firm in June 2021 and brings more than...
Growing Private Client and Residential Property teams at SME Solicitors
The SME Solicitors team has grown a lot in the last few months. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Cerri, Sandie Hutchings, Kim Bradley and Jordan Oakes to the team. Lauren Cerri, Solicitor in our Private Client team, joined us in February this year having previously...
Chamber News
Business Direction launches bold new look
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the brand-new, fully revamped Business Direction magazine — alongside the launch of its first dedicated website, marking a new era for the region’s leading business publication. The relaunch comes...
Improve Your Staff Recruitment and Retention with the Salary & Benefits Survey, in Partnership with Hewett Recruitment
Businesses are continuing to operate in an exceptionally tight labour market while navigating the ongoing cost of doing business crisis, further impacted by the National Insurance changes implemented this year. This competitive environment is putting pressure on...
Our Latest Member
Nurture your workforce in Herefordshire nature
As new legislation makes employing people more expensive than ever, getting the best out of employees – and holding on to them – is vital. Companies must nurture people and promote camaraderie and enjoyment at work. In the endeavour to motivate and retain...
Nurture your workforce in Herefordshire nature
As new legislation makes employing people more expensive than ever, getting the best out of employees – and holding on to them – is vital. Companies must nurture people and promote camaraderie and enjoyment at work. In the endeavour to motivate and retain...
Policy News
Key Employment Law Updates: Autumn 2025
1. Fire and Rehire – Government Softens Proposed BanThe Employment Rights Bill continues to target “fire and rehire” tactics, where employers dismiss staff to impose new terms. Dismissals linked to restricted variations (e.g. reductions in pay, hours, pensions, or...
Bradey Thomas MP Q&A: Chamber Hosts Engaging Session on Local Priorities
Last week, the Chamber of Commerce hosted a highly successful session with Bradley Thomas MP for Bromsgrove and The Villages at the Heart of Worcestershire College in Bromsgrove. The event brought together business leaders, education representatives, and community...
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
Worcester recruitment firm spreads Easter cheer to local foodbank
A Worcester recruitment firm has helped bring smiles to local children this Easter by donating over to 200 chocolate Easter eggs to the city’s foodbank. It’s the third consecutive year that kind-hearted staff from Diglis-based Pineapple Recruitment have donated the...
Students Raise Over £1,800 for Worcestershire Charities in 24-Hour CPR Marathon
Student Paramedics at the University of Worcester have successfully completed their 24-hour CPR Marathon, raising more than £1,800 for two local lifesaving charities. Running from 9am on March 16 until 9am the following morning, the endurance event saw staff, students...
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
BCC News
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
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
Hereford Care Homes Participate in Heartfelt Memory Walk Honouring Beloved Past Residents and Raise Funds for St Michael’s Hospice
Hampton Grange and Gwen Walford Care Homes proudly took part in a Memory Walk to honour the cherished memories of past residents Joe and Tom while raising vital funds for St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford. The event, held at the picturesque Queenswood Arboretum...
Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024/2025
It’s an exciting time for Herefordshire and its tourism industry. We pride ourselves in just how very special our county is and in all corners there are brilliant businesses offering visitors superb experiences, accommodation and food & drink. The Herefordshire...
All Latest News
Kinder Accountants joins forces with Tennick Accountants as firm doubles in size
Kinder Accountants has joined forces with North East-based Tennick Accountants in a move that doubles the size of the business and strengthens its support for clients across the UK. The coming together brings Kinder Accountants into the Tennick Accountants family,...
Hoople mark 6 months of good deeds
2026 marked Hoople’s 15th birthday. To celebrate this important milestone, the company decided to complete 15 “Good Deeds” throughout the year as a way of giving back to the community that has supported them along the way. At the half-way point, Hoople have been...
Roxel UK Highly Commended in Employer of the Year Category at Chamber Business Awards
Roxel UK is delighted to announce it has been recognised as Highly Commended in the Employer of the Year category at the 2026 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. With hundreds of entries submitted annually, this recognition highlights...
Hiring On Hold
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While unemployment fell slightly to 4.9 per cent, the expectation is that it will rise as businesses remain...
Speller Metcalfe positions for the next era of construction standards
As the construction sector navigates the most significant regulatory change in a generation, Speller Metcalfe has moved early to ensure its systems, governance and information management are built for what comes next. The Building Safety Act has fundamentally changed...
Teacher educator urges public to take part in consultation on new Natural History GCSE
A leading teacher educator at the University of Worcester, is urging the public, teachers and young people to take part in the Government’s consultation on the proposed Natural History GCSE, as the qualification moves a significant step closer to becoming a reality....
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