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.
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.
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
Latest Article
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
Member News
John Truslove offering prime Redditch industrial investment opportunity for £2.85 million
A £2.85 million property investment opportunity in Redditch has come on the market via commercial property agents John Truslove. A sale and leaseback deal is being offered on a freehold 25,223 sq ft modern factory warehouse in Woolaston Road, Redditch, which is...
Could Regular Hot Baths be the Key to Coping Better in Heatwaves? Worcester Study Needs You
Researchers at the University of Worcester are looking for participants for a study investigating whether regular hot baths could help people cope better with heatwaves. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense in the UK, practical and accessible ways to cope...
Patron & Strategic News
Lecturer Paddles the Equivalent of Worcester to Paris for Vital Local Charity
A University of Worcester lecturer will take on a challenge which will see him kayak 310 miles throughout the month of July, as he raises funds for a local charity which supports people who live with neurological disorders. Steve Ennis, Business lecturer and Managing...
Landlords warned of final court date for Section 21 eviction notices
Worcestershire landlords are being urged to act quickly if they wish to rely on Section 21 eviction notices served before major reforms to the private rented sector came into force. The Renters’ Rights Act, introduced on 1 May, represents the most significant overhaul...
Chamber News
Dozens of Students Dressed to Impress Thanks to Kind Community Donations
An initiative to help university students dress the part for interviews and placements has proven a huge success. Placements are a big part of courses at the University of Worcester, and students often enter environments where they’re required to dress smartly....
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announce Relaunch of Business Direction Magazine
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce their new partnership with Crosby Media Associates. The Chamber and Crosby Media will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition toward the end of 2025, with October/November and...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members – February
A very warm welcome to our new Members A C Event Catering – A C Event Catering provide a number of catering services to venues and events across the Midlands. They offer full and managed catering services, as well as providing catering and bar services for...
Welcome new Members – February
A very warm welcome to our new Members A C Event Catering – A C Event Catering provide a number of catering services to venues and events across the Midlands. They offer full and managed catering services, as well as providing catering and bar services for...
Policy News
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...
Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
Skills News
Hazelton Mountford’s Apprenticeship Day 2022
The senior management team at Hazelton Mountford are embracing new methods to recruit exceptional team members, including an ‘Apprenticeship Day’ held at the Worcester city centre HQ. In addition to placing their Chartered Insurance Apprenticeship role on the...
The Chamber to help deliver local skills improvement plan
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber to deliver local skills improvement plan for Worcestershire, and in partnership with Shropshire Chamber, for the Marches. Reacting to the news that Accredited Chambers of Commerce will be leading 32 of the 40 local skills...
Charity 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...
ZwickRoell Donates €1,000 to Community First Responders Charity Following Global Fitness Challenge
ZwickRoell has donated €1,000 to the Community First Responders (CFR) Charity following the successful completion of its global “ZwickRoell Runs The World” Challenge, which encouraged employees, customers, and suppliers to stay active while supporting meaningful...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway ‘whistle off’ will Mark the Start of Railway 200
On New Year’s Day, the Severn Valley Railway will join other UK heritage lines in a nationwide ‘whistle off’ to mark the start of Railway 200. Across the country, heritage locomotives will sound their whistles at 12 noon on 1 January 2025. This evocative rekindling of...
Turning Risks into Opportunities: How Insurance Can Support Business Growth in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Running a business in Herefordshire and Worcestershire presents fantastic opportunities, but it also involves risks. Whether you’re a manufacturer in Malvern, a farm shop owner in Herefordshire, or a tech start-up in Worcester… growth often means taking on...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Council Approves Four-year Council Plan
The Herefordshire Council Plan 2024-28 sets out council priorities for the next four years and a commitment to delivering the best for Herefordshire Full Council has today (24 May 2024) approved the Herefordshire Council Plan 2024-28, which sets out how the council...
Celtic Marches Updates 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
Winners Revealed at the Chamber Business Awards 2026
The Chamber Business Awards 2026 brought together the very best of business from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire last night for a spectacular evening of celebration, recognition and global-inspired entertainment. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and...
Building Confidence: HWGTA’s Apprentice Residential Success
The end of May saw HWGTA’s final apprentice residential of the year, supporting over 100 apprentices from engineering and commerce pathways across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. These residentials are a distinctive feature of our learner journey, offering...
Double cheers for SVR pubs as CAMRA honours King and Castle and Railwayman’s Arms
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating a double success after both of its pubs received recognition in this year’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub of the year awards. The King and Castle in Kidderminster has been named Worcestershire CAMRA Pub of the Year and will...
Sustained growth leads to rapid expansion of law firm’s Corporate team
Law firm mfg Solicitors has continued to strengthen its position as a trusted adviser to owner-managed businesses, corporates, and private equity-backed companies across the West Midlands. Following sustained growth and a rise in new client wins, the firm’s Corporate...
Get Festival-Ready For OrchardFest
Our accessible music festival OrchardFest 2026 is just around the corner, and the official merchandise shop is now live! From comfy hoodies to classic T-shirts and stylish bucket hats, it’s a brilliant way to get into the festival spirit. Merchandise Deadline: Order...
Films to be Screened at The Hive for Refugee Week Film Festival
A powerful programme of short and feature-length films exploring themes of migration, displacement and belonging will be screened at The Hive as part of a collaboration between the UW Sustainability Forum and Worcester Welcomes, Refugee Week 2026. The free to attend...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here