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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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Historic day for the SVR as the Severn Valley Railway Society is formally launched
The Severn Valley Railway has today [1 June 2026] reached a landmark moment in its history, with the successful conversion of Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Plc into a Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS). The organisation is now known as the Severn Valley...
Latest Article
Historic day for the SVR as the Severn Valley Railway Society is formally launched
The Severn Valley Railway has today [1 June 2026] reached a landmark moment in its history, with the successful conversion of Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Plc into a Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS). The organisation is now known as the Severn Valley...
Member News
Apprentice academy continues to support the next generation of construction talent
Speller Metcalfe has once again partnered with Heart of Worcestershire College and long-standing industry supporter Travis Perkins to help construction apprentices across Worcestershire begin their careers with confidence through the Worcestershire Construction...
Talbots Law triples Contentious Probate team in 12 months, strengthening its regional and national presence.
Talbots Law has significantly expanded its Contentious Probate offering after tripling the size of the specialist team in just 12 months, reinforcing its position as one of the leading contentious probate specialists in the region. Now comprising a nine-strong team...
Patron & Strategic News
The Bearded Plantaholic to Appear at The Hive
A world-renowned author and plant expert is appearing at The Hive this month, where he’ll discuss his book ‘You’re Overwatering It’. Jonny Balchandani, better known to his more than a million followers on social media as the Bearded Plantaholic, will join former BBC...
Could you be a Children’s or Young Adult’s Author? Writer’s Day Invites New Writers in Worcester
Could your idea become the next Charlie and Lola, The Hunger Games, or Where the Wild Things Are? Aspiring writers, experienced authors, and anyone curious about writing for younger audiences are invited to Writer’s Day 2026 at The Hive in Worcester, where this year’s...
Chamber News
Worcestershire businesses urged to ‘power up’ productivity and plug skills gaps with Skills Bootcamps
Businesses across Worcestershire are being urged to take advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training programmes designed to upskill staff, fill skills gaps, and support long-term growth. Funded by the Department for Education and managed locally by...
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
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
The Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 is now Live
The Quarterly Economic Survey is among the largest business surveys in the UK, making it a key resource for the government to conduct case studies and access up-to-date statistics on businesses across the UK. The Survey consists of questions on several topics,...
Rate Cut Will Help Firms in Choppy Waters
Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome the decision to cut the base rate to 4%, marking a further move away from a prolonged period of...
Skills News
National Apprenticeships Week 2023 – Skills for Life
The theme for #NAW2023 is “Skills for Life” encouraging employers and learners to reflect on how apprenticeships can drive development in careers, future-ready skills and the talented workforce needed across the UK. Whilst this is a laudable focus for this year’s...
Use Skills Bootcamps to Retain and Reskill your Workforce
Local training provider The Development Manager (TDM), has a pool of talented individuals looking for employers to interview them and help them to start a Tech & Digital role in the region as an apprentice. These work-ready individuals are currently completing...
Charity News
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training for Those Supporting Veterans
PAPYRUS has been awarded funding by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to provide fully funded suicide prevention training for those working with or supporting veterans. The aim is to equip participants with skills to identify warning signs, intervene effectively, and...
Empowering Practitioners to Better Support Care Leavers
We have one more Training for Practitioners working with Care Leavers and their families in the community or at work! Wed 17th Dec – Caring for Care Leavers Training – 09.30-2.30pm – see enclosed leaflet for more...
New Chair Elected by BCC Board
The board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has unanimously elected Michael Hayman MBE DL as the new Chair of the organisation. Michael, who joined the BCC board in October last year, succeeds Sarah Howard MBE who has served as Chair for the last six and a...
BCC News
New Chair Elected by BCC Board
The board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has unanimously elected Michael Hayman MBE DL as the new Chair of the organisation. Michael, who joined the BCC board in October last year, succeeds Sarah Howard MBE who has served as Chair for the last six and a...
Worcestershire News
Worcester City Plan Consultation
Residents, local businesses and other stakeholders are being asked for their views on a new plan that sets out the City Council’s ambitions for Worcester over the next five years. The draft City Plan 2025-2030 envisions Worcester as an ambitious, vibrant and welcoming...
Severn Valley Railway Shortlisted for Four Heritage Railway Awards
The Severn Valley Railway has been shortlisted in four categories for the prestigious Heritage Railway Association awards for 2025, which recognise excellence and innovation across the heritage rail sector. SVR-based locomotive, Stanier Mogul No 13268 is in the...
Herefordshire News
Grant Gives Engineering Firm a Record-breaking Boost
A specialist engineering firm has enjoyed a record-breaking year after investing in new machinery, with the help of a grant from Herefordshire Council’s Business Enterprise Fund. KGD Enterprises, which is based at Rotherwas in Hereford, makes high-quality packaged...
David Tomkins, Data Analyst Level 4 Apprentice.
Promotion to an Apprenticeship! Recently TDM have promoted one of our existing members of staff onto a Data Analyst Level 4 Apprenticeship programme. David Tomkins, previously TDM’s Marketing Manager, moved into this role and has exceled beyond belief. TDM believe in...
All Latest News
Reading the Seismograph: What the BCC’s QES Dashboard can tell us about the looming economic shock
The latest results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2026 present a familiar picture1. Business confidence remains subdued. Investment intentions are weak. Cost pressures, though no longer accelerating, remain elevated. Firms...
Iran Conflict Deepens Inflation Concerns
Responding to the latest inflation data, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s 3.3% inflation figure for March is an early signal that the Iran conflict is...
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...
Leave a Lasting Legacy: Local Businesses Invited to Support School Rebrand in Malvern
A primary school in Malvern, part of the Mercian Educational Trust (MET), is introducing a new brand identity as part of its ongoing improvement journey. The rebrand reflects the school’s values of growth, aspiration, and community. The design features a stylised...
Local Charity launches entrepreneurial fundraising challenge during Mental Health Awareness Week this May
West Midlands-based mental health charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group has launched a new fundraising initiative, inviting individuals, schools and businesses to turn just £5 into vital support for its mental health services across the Midlands. The Fiver to Thrive...
HRH The Duke of Gloucester Officially Opens Duke’s Building at University of Worcester
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester has formally opened the Duke’s Building at the University of Worcester, a major new facility for health, wellbeing and sport education, named in honour of the University’s Chancellor. His Royal Highness unveiled a...
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