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.
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Latest Article
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Member News
Invitation for amateur musicians to be part of this year’s Elgar Festival
Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced an opportunity for musicians of all ages to be part a very special project. The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday...
Mandatory certification requirements for professional rodenticide purchase came into force January 1, 2026 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
PGM Pest Control is urging UK businesses, farmers, and pest control professionals to review their rodent management following major regulatory changes that came into force on 1 January 2026 under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime. The updated rules mean that...
Patron & Strategic News
Join the Experts to Explore Origins of our Festive Traditions
Ever wondered why we put up trees or hang wreaths at Christmas time, and where the tradition of knitting festive jumpers started? And who decides which Christmas decorations are classy? Experts from the University of Worcester will be addressing these questions in a...
Young Artists Offered Chance to Shine at Worcester’s Art House
Talented young artists from schools across Worcestershire are being offered the chance to showcase their work in a professional gallery setting, with £2,500 of cash prizes up for grabs. A new collaboration between the University of Worcester and the Clothiers Company...
Chamber News
Free Training Opportunities for Herefordshire Businesses
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Attention businesses in Herefordshire: an exciting opportunity is now available to help your employees upskill and meet evolving industry demands—at absolutely no cost to you. Thanks to...
Chamber Release Salary & Benefits Report 2025, In Partnership with Hewett Recruitment
The Salary & Benefits Report 2025 in partnership with Hewett Recruitment is now available to download. In October 2024, businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire were asked to share, in confidentiality, the salaries and benefits they offer to employees....
Our Latest Member
Recruitment Expert to take on London Marathon for AngelmanUK
A director of a Worcester recruitment firm is to take on next year’s TCS London Marathon for charity AngelmanUK. James Cronin, a director at recruitment specialist, GMP Recruitment, part of the Frederick Harlan Group, is taking part in the world’s most famous marathon...
Recruitment Expert to take on London Marathon for AngelmanUK
A director of a Worcester recruitment firm is to take on next year’s TCS London Marathon for charity AngelmanUK. James Cronin, a director at recruitment specialist, GMP Recruitment, part of the Frederick Harlan Group, is taking part in the world’s most famous marathon...
Policy News
Vacancies Still Falling As Wages Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This data suggests some loosening in the jobs market with vacancies staying below pre-pandemic levels...
Pace of Immigration Changes Must Work for Business
Responding to the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses are keen to unlock more home-grown talent and will welcome the broad direction of travel in today’s White...
Skills News
Bridging the Gap: educating and upskilling the workforce to meet local business needs
Herefordshire & Ludlow College invites local employers to the Folly Lane, Hereford Campus to start the conversation around meeting your future skills needs on Tuesday 12th July. Many employers face the dual challenge of a tight labour market and sourcing...
NMITE Presents: Leominster Skills Forum
NMITE are pleased to announce their upcoming Leominster Skills Forum on June 29th.between 8:30 and 11:00am. Taking place at the Lion Ballroom, the event will feature a panel discussing the unique challenges and opportunities facing businesses in Leominster as well as...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice Unveils Refreshed Leominster Charity Shop
St Michael’s Hospice is pleased to announce the reopening of its newly transformed Home & Living charity shop in Leominster, following a comprehensive refurbishment aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for the local community. Located at Station Yard, the...
Sun shines on hundreds of fundraisers as RUN Hereford City Edition hits town
More than 750 runners took a step towards a little bit of history during the first-ever city edition of RUN Hereford. The annual event, which is one of Herefordshire’s leading running days, is expected to raise almost £28,000 for Bartestree-based St Michael’s Hospice,...
UK Risks Falling Behind In Race To Net Zero
The UK risks falling behind in the global green innovation race because of significant barriers to low-carbon investment, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Research by McKinsey suggests the net zero transition could be worth over £1 trillion to...
BCC News
UK Risks Falling Behind In Race To Net Zero
The UK risks falling behind in the global green innovation race because of significant barriers to low-carbon investment, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Research by McKinsey suggests the net zero transition could be worth over £1 trillion to...
Worcestershire News
Half-term Adventure Awaits at the Severn Valley Railway
Families can be sure of a warm welcome and an exciting day out at the Severn Valley Railway during the autumn half-term break. The heritage line is open for nine consecutive days of fun, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November. Hop on board a heritage diesel or...
Do you dare to ride the SVR’s Ghost Train?
The Severn Valley Railway’s famous Ghost and Scream Trains will be setting forth into the night towards the end of the half-term holiday, when it will be time to celebrate Halloween. Thrills and spills await those who are brave enough to ride the special services on...
Herefordshire News
Why International Women’s Day is Inspiring Inclusion Across Herefordshire
L-R: Sharon Smith (Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce), Chamber member Charlotte Webb (Castle Green Financial Planning, Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management) and Julz Watson (Herefordshire Police) support the theme of...
Hereford Care Home Celebrates 10 -Year Anniversary
Gwen Walford Care Home, a beacon of care and compassion in the heart of Herefordshire, proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone the home hosted a splendid black-tie event, welcoming residents, staff, families, and esteemed guests to join...
All Latest News
DRPG Celebrates Creative Careers Month with Industry First Apprenticeship Cohort and Sparks Live Success
DRPG Celebrates Creative Careers Month with Industry First Apprenticeship Cohort and Sparks Live Success Creative communications agency DRPG is championing the next generation of talent this Creative Careers Month with two major milestones: the launch of the UK’s...
Navigating the Future of UK Healthcare: How TR Health Supports You in 2026
As we move closer to 2026, the UK’s healthcare landscape is poised for significant shifts. Demand for timely, accessible medical support is increasing. One of the biggest challenges in 2026 will be the increasing pressure on the NHS, as demand continues to...
Why 2026 Is Opus’s Year
Every new year brings its own set of challenges and in the world of claims handling, but with the Opus way: tenacity over turbulence, what defines Opus isn’t the challenges we face, it’s the way we respond to them. Our team is built on resilience and grit! If an...
Could William Shakespeare have tied the knot in Worcester?
Experts will put the marriage of William Shakespeare and its connections to Worcester under the spotlight during a special event at The Hive. The University of Worcester panel discussion on Tuesday, December 2 from 6.30pm-8pm, focuses on Shakespeare’s marriage bond,...
Dedicate a shooting star this Christmas to someone you’ll never forget
A unique, handcrafted ‘shooting star’ tribute to remember someone loved and missed is at the heart of an emotional campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice this December – to ensure their memory still shines bright. Celebrate Your Star invites people to honour lost...
Documentaries Earn Honours for Two University of Worcester Graduates
Two University of Worcester graduates have won prestigious awards at an event celebrating the top journalists in the region. 21-year-old Aiden Holland, from Dudley, who studied Journalism and History, won Student Television Journalist of the Year at the Midlands Media...
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