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.
BCRS Business Loans allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support businesses across the West Midlands and Wales
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has been allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support underserved small businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans is the sixth lender to be accredited by the British Business...
Latest Article
BCRS Business Loans allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support businesses across the West Midlands and Wales
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has been allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support underserved small businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans is the sixth lender to be accredited by the British Business...
Member News
New SVR Summer Gala to feature rare ‘Witch’ class locomotive
The Severn Valley Railway has announced an exciting new addition to its events calendar with the launch of its Summer Gala, taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July. The two-day rail celebration will showcase a lively mix of steam and heritage diesel traction,...
HCR Law marks strategic growth with record number of promotions
Top 50 UK firm HCR Law has promoted more than 100 colleagues across its business services and private client teams, marking the firm’s biggest promotion round to date. Promotions take effect from 1 April 2026, recognising more than 100 lawyers and support...
Patron & Strategic News
Research Project to Support People Living with Dementia and Hearing Loss
A new research project is launching to tackle a long-overlooked challenge in social care: how to better support people living with both dementia and hearing loss through improved use of hearing aid technologies, staff training, and noise-aware environments. The Turn...
Worcester Creator with 5m Followers Reveals the Reality of YouTube Career
One of Worcester’s most successful digital creators, with more than 5 million followers worldwide, will reveal the reality behind life as a full-time Youtuber in a free public talk at The Hive. Terrarium creator Ben Newell will share how he turned his hobby into a...
Chamber News
Dr Ellie Chowns MP Attends Herefordshire Area Council Meeting
Dr Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire recently attended the Chamber’s Herefordshire Area Council meeting held at NMITE’s facility on Skylon Park, Rotherwas. Ellie Chowns began by outlining current priorities within the constituency, the impact of international...
Chamber Business Awards 2026 – Finalists Announced
We are delighted to announce the outstanding businesses and organisations shortlisted as finalists for the Chamber Business Awards 2026. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, the Awards celebrate firms across the two counties and are a...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | February
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout February: Advita Ortho UK Ltd – A medical technology and device company manufacturing and supplying innovative orthopedic implants and AI-enhanced surgical solutions. Elgar Energy Holdings Ltd –...
Welcome New Members | February
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout February: Advita Ortho UK Ltd – A medical technology and device company manufacturing and supplying innovative orthopedic implants and AI-enhanced surgical solutions. Elgar Energy Holdings Ltd –...
Policy News
Solicitor issues alert to businesses ahead of Employment law changes
One of the county’s leading employment lawyers has urged business to ensure they are prepared and have ‘ticked all the boxes’ ahead of sweeping changes to Employment laws. Sally Morris, partner and head of employment at law firm mfg Solicitors, has taken steps to warn...
Calm Before The Inflation Storm
Responding to the latest inflation data, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “For businesses across the UK, today’s inflation data represents the calm before the...
Skills News
Level 4 HNC and/or Level 5 HND in Leadership & Management
Designed to develop your knowledge of team leadership and management from a management perspective, this HTQ aims to enhance your skills to progress into employment across a wide range of industries. The purpose of the qualification is to develop students as...
Could you host a T Level industry placement?
We’re offering funding to support employers with the essential costs of hosting T Level industry placements starting now through to 31st March 2026. Whether you’re a large organisation or a small business, we can help: Construction Route – Support available for...
Charity News
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...
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...
Reflections on the WTO talks
The timing of the British Chambers of Commerce Why Trade Matters report and the Driving International Trade Conference could not have been timelier, because MC14 has just shown, in real time, exactly what is at stake. Trade is not some abstract, technocratic concept,...
BCC News
Reflections on the WTO talks
The timing of the British Chambers of Commerce Why Trade Matters report and the Driving International Trade Conference could not have been timelier, because MC14 has just shown, in real time, exactly what is at stake. Trade is not some abstract, technocratic concept,...
Worcestershire News
Budget consultation for businesses
Worcester City Council is the only organisation exclusively dedicated to serving Worcester’s 106,700 residents, but we face tough decisions as we consider how your money should be spent and what our priorities should be for the year ahead. Every year the Council is...
Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year
We’re so proud that Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year, and public voting is still open! Cast your vote now: https://elevatorworld.com/contests/product-of-the-year/ If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, we’d really...
Herefordshire News
Community generosity at Christmas helps Herefordshire families
As families across Herefordshire face increasing pressure, a series of quiet but meaningful acts of generosity by business and individuals are helping to support those most in need through local charity Vennture. With demand for emergency accommodation and family...
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...
All Latest News
Midlands businesses urged to step up for young people facing homelessness with St Basils Hike for Homeless 2026
Businesses across the Midlands are being urged to swap boardrooms for walking boots this summer as St Basils launches Hike for Homeless 2026, a powerful team challenge with real impact for young people facing homelessness. Taking place on Saturday 20 June 2026 at...
Research Project to Support People Living with Dementia and Hearing Loss
A new research project is launching to tackle a long-overlooked challenge in social care: how to better support people living with both dementia and hearing loss through improved use of hearing aid technologies, staff training, and noise-aware environments. The Turn...
Worcester Creator with 5m Followers Reveals the Reality of YouTube Career
One of Worcester’s most successful digital creators, with more than 5 million followers worldwide, will reveal the reality behind life as a full-time Youtuber in a free public talk at The Hive. Terrarium creator Ben Newell will share how he turned his hobby into a...
“This has to stop” – Resilience coach Dr Lizzy Bernthal on toxic workplaces
Dr Lizzy Bernthal has led teams in extreme conditions across 18 countries, including Afghanistan, survived a landslide in Nepal, and extreme conditions on Mount Snowdon, but it was a much smaller moment that made her decide on her mission to end workplace toxicity....
Award wins for ONE’s innovative digital twin approach
ONE Creative environments (ONE), a multi-disciplinary design company that prioritises innovation, has celebrated two national award wins last month (March 2026). ONE, which has a Worcester HQ and offices in Birmingham, London and Cardiff received the awards for their...
Are Your Workplace Policies Still Fit for Purpose in 2026?
For many businesses, policies are something that get written, filed away, and only revisited when there’s an issue. But in reality, policies should be living, working documents that actively support both your people and your business. With ongoing changes in...
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