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.
Hereford FC and Worcester City Unite for Hospices in Charity Pre-Season Clash
On Tuesday, 21st July at 7.45pm, Hereford FC will host Worcester City in a special pre-season charity fixture at the M&M Edgar Street Stadium, with all proceeds supporting St Michael’s Hospice and St Richard’s Hospice. As Hereford FC’s first home...
Latest Article
Hereford FC and Worcester City Unite for Hospices in Charity Pre-Season Clash
On Tuesday, 21st July at 7.45pm, Hereford FC will host Worcester City in a special pre-season charity fixture at the M&M Edgar Street Stadium, with all proceeds supporting St Michael’s Hospice and St Richard’s Hospice. As Hereford FC’s first home...
Member News
Ballast Launches New Name as Business Heads Towards Three-Year Anniversary
Nicola Hale People Consulting has rebranded to Ballast, ahead of the business’s third anniversary this November. Founded by Nicola Hale in 2023, the business has built its reputation providing embedded fractional Chief People Officer leadership, giving...
Upwards-Only Rent Reviews are going — But will the Government actually achieve what it set out to do?
A perspective on the implications for the Worcestershire commercial property market. The ban on upwards-only rent reviews (UORR) has been billed as a landmark moment for commercial tenants, and in some respects, it is, but here in Worcestershire, where the...
Patron & Strategic News
Ann Muddiman retires after 33 years at SME Solicitors
Ann Muddiman marked her last day at SME Solicitors on 29 May. Ann began her career in 1979 and has worked at several firms across the West Midlands. She later joined John Stallard & Co. in March 1993 and, after the merger with March & Edwards in 2011, joined...
Trueline Products Recruits Three Early Careers Roles in One Morning Through Innovative Assessment Centre
A Worcestershire Chamber Strategic Member has successfully recruited two apprentices and one trainee in a single morning using an assessment centre approach designed to help employers identify potential rather than rely solely on CVs. Trueline Products, a local...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members September
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout September. St Richard’s Hospice Foundation – Worcestershire charity providing palliative care. Spartan Fire Protection – Fire safety systems and compliance specialists. First Enterprise – Inclusive finance and...
Worcestershire Area Council Updates for September
FINANCE SECTOR The revised FRS 102, effective January 2026, introduces significant changes including full balance sheet recognition of leases in line with IFRS 16, a new five-step revenue model aligned with IFRS 15, and fair value guidance via Section 2A based on IFRS...
Our Latest Member
Women In Business Network Joins H&W CoC!
What is WIBN? WIBN membership is for business women who own SME businesses, are self-employed or work as professional service providers for small businesses. WIBN’s purpose is to create communities of business women who build strong business relationships. Members...
Women In Business Network Joins H&W CoC!
What is WIBN? WIBN membership is for business women who own SME businesses, are self-employed or work as professional service providers for small businesses. WIBN’s purpose is to create communities of business women who build strong business relationships. Members...
Policy News
Businesses Squeezed As Inflation Remains High
Reacting to the latest inflation data published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Sticky inflation has been in danger of becoming a uniquely British disease as the UK continues to stand out from the...
Service Exports Climb But Goods Trade In Flux
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “UK trade is heading along two distinct paths. There is a steady rise in services, which already account for more than half of UK exports, but trade in goods remains in flux....
Skills News
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...
Launch of 2023 awards celebrates Worcestershire’s apprenticeship success
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council have announced that the popular apprenticeship celebration event, the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards are returning in 2023. The announcement was made at the end of National...
Charity News
OrchardFest 2026 Returns with an Inclusive Summer Celebration
We’re excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest 2026 is returning on Saturday 15th August 2026, and it promises to be bigger, brighter, and more inclusive than ever. Set at the beautiful Orchard Trust Smallholding in Upper Stowfield, Gloucestershire, this...
A kind collaboration – Dandelion Video Production and Primrose Hospice
Primrose Hospice is the latest charity to collaborate with Dandelion Video Production through their Chamber of Commerce charity pledge. The video, which follows the journey of a piece of pre-loved furniture through the donation process, and the impact it can make,...
Conflict Cuts Middle East Trade By One Fifth
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has revealed a 20% drop in export activity to the Middle East as conflict escalated in March. The findings are based on the number of certificates of origin issued by Chambers of Commerce. These are a...
BCC News
Conflict Cuts Middle East Trade By One Fifth
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has revealed a 20% drop in export activity to the Middle East as conflict escalated in March. The findings are based on the number of certificates of origin issued by Chambers of Commerce. These are a...
Worcestershire News
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....
Paddington™ to visit the Severn Valley Railway in February
There’ll be plenty of family fun at the Severn Valley Railway, with appearances from the energetic and much-loved character Paddington™ from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 February 2025. Families can take an exciting heritage train ride out to The Engine House, Highley and...
Herefordshire News
Looking for the Perfect Christmas Gift for your Clients or Employees?
Here at Celtic Marches we offer a wide range of luxury cider and wine gifts to suit a variety of budgets. Our award-winning Herefordshire Cider and English Wine is beautifully packaged in gift boxes and delivered straight to your company ready for you to give to...
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...
All Latest News
Creative Worcester schoolchildren explore themes of safety in local company’s poetry competition
A Worcester company turned to a local school for a lesson in security market research as part of a creative tie in to its 30th anniversary celebrations. The Key Safe Company, which recently won a King’s Award for innovation, invited students from Cherry Orchard...
Hidden LGBTQ Stories to be Uncovered at The Hive This Pride Month
LGBTQ stories and hidden histories will be celebrated at The Hive in Worcester at a free event exploring queer literary history from Worcestershire to Paris. The Salon: Pride at The Hive, which takes place on 24 June, 6.15-7.30pm, will bring to life the stories of...
John Truslove finds bigger new home for BeanPrint
A thriving web-based printing business has more than doubled its footprint after moving to a new home in Redditch after calling in commercial property agents John Truslove. The move to the Washford Industrial Estate will enable BeanPrint.co.uk to expand, acquiring new...
Is your website losing mobile enquiries?
Pick up your phone and look at your own website. Not the desktop version you checked when it launched, the version most of your customers actually see. More than half of all web traffic in the UK now happens on mobile. If your site was built for a desktop screen and...
Taking the Leap for Lee’s Place
Fourteen courageous supporters took fundraising to new heights as they completed a tandem skydive at Swansea Airport in aid of Lee’s Place a Community Power project, raising vital funds to support people experiencing homelessness across Herefordshire....
Worcester Graduates Making an Impact to be Recognised in New Awards
The University of Worcester has launched its first-ever Alumni Awards, aiming to shine a spotlight on gradates making a difference across the region and beyond. Across 10 categories, the University will recognise and champion graduates who have made a positive impact...
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