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.
Severn Valley Railway temporarily suspends steam services during prolonged hot and dry weather
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced that, because of the continuing period of exceptionally hot and dry weather and with little rainfall forecast, it is suspending all steam-hauled services until further notice. Heritage diesel locomotives will haul all...
Latest Article
Severn Valley Railway temporarily suspends steam services during prolonged hot and dry weather
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced that, because of the continuing period of exceptionally hot and dry weather and with little rainfall forecast, it is suspending all steam-hauled services until further notice. Heritage diesel locomotives will haul all...
Member News
Thorlux Lighting celebrates 90 years at the forefront of UK luminaire manufacturing
Redditch, UK, July 2026 – UK-based lighting manufacturer Thorlux Lighting is marking its 90th anniversary with a series of events in September and the opening of a refreshed visitor centre at its Redditch, Worcestershire headquarters. The festivities will include a...
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...
Patron & Strategic News
Growing Private Client and Residential Property teams at SME Solicitors
The SME Solicitors team has grown a lot in the last few months. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Cerri, Sandie Hutchings, Kim Bradley and Jordan Oakes to the team. Lauren Cerri, Solicitor in our Private Client team, joined us in February this year having previously...
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...
Chamber News
‘LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION’ Wild Edric Media & Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber Of Commerce has appointed a local production company as their Video Partner for the upcoming Chamber Expo, in a drive to create engaging video content to promote the Chamber and it’s services, as well as providing a spotlight...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Local Excellence at 2025 Business Awards
On 12 June 2025, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its prestigious Annual Business Awards at the University Arena in Worcester. The event, generously sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, brought...
Our Latest Member
Cloud Voice Solutions and Connectivity
LOQEX is a leading provider of unified communications solutions. Our extensive expertise in the telecommunications industry enables us to streamline the operations and enhance the customer service experience of businesses across the UK. We integrate our unified...
Cloud Voice Solutions and Connectivity
LOQEX is a leading provider of unified communications solutions. Our extensive expertise in the telecommunications industry enables us to streamline the operations and enhance the customer service experience of businesses across the UK. We integrate our unified...
Policy News
Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact
Recruitment remains static with 55% of firms attempting to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q1) Hiring remains challenging despite some respite, with 73% of firms reporting difficulties in Q2 (76% in Q1) Transport and logistics (80%) and...
Bromsgrove District Local Plan – Draft Development Strategy Consultation 30th June – 22nd September
Regulation 18 of the Town and Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Bromsgrove District Council is in the process of reviewing and replacing the Bromsgrove District Plan (adopted January 2017), which will set out where new housing, employment and other...
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
Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust response to Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust warmly welcomes the publication of the Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan, and we are particularly encouraged to see a dedicated section focusing on children and young people. This represents a significant and long-overdue step...
Introducing Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO)
Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO) is a local charity working to reduce waste, support households in need, and keep reusable goods and materials in circulation across the county. We joined the Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce with a clear purpose:...
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...
BCC News
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...
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
Marches LEP Capital Fund Delivers £600,000 Support
A major new capital investment fund delivered by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has awarded more than £600,000 to organisations across the region. Six successful schemes will receive a total of £612,793 from the LEP’s Capital Project Fund to help them...
LEP Celebrates Legacy at Final Board Meeting
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership will celebrate its near £200million legacy at its final board meeting – and welcome back some familiar faces from its past to mark the occasion. The LEP – which for more than ten years has been the body responsible for driving...
All Latest News
Roxel UK Highly Commended in Employer of the Year Category at Chamber Business Awards
Roxel UK is delighted to announce it has been recognised as Highly Commended in the Employer of the Year category at the 2026 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. With hundreds of entries submitted annually, this recognition highlights...
Hiring On Hold
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While unemployment fell slightly to 4.9 per cent, the expectation is that it will rise as businesses remain...
Speller Metcalfe positions for the next era of construction standards
As the construction sector navigates the most significant regulatory change in a generation, Speller Metcalfe has moved early to ensure its systems, governance and information management are built for what comes next. The Building Safety Act has fundamentally changed...
Teacher educator urges public to take part in consultation on new Natural History GCSE
A leading teacher educator at the University of Worcester, is urging the public, teachers and young people to take part in the Government’s consultation on the proposed Natural History GCSE, as the qualification moves a significant step closer to becoming a reality....
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...
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