Business Direction Online
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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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Silver Awards announced for support to Armed Forces community
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are very pleased to announce that 36 organisations in their region are confirmed as Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winners for 2025. This brings the total of ERS Silver holders, in the region,...
Latest Article
Silver Awards announced for support to Armed Forces community
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are very pleased to announce that 36 organisations in their region are confirmed as Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winners for 2025. This brings the total of ERS Silver holders, in the region,...
Member News
Law firm mfg Solicitors announces raft of specialist promotions
Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has announced the internal promotions of 13 lawyers across various specialisms and offices, including the appointments of five Legal Directors. Stepping into Legal Director roles are Private Client expert Rachel Summers and Tax...
Wyevale Nurseries to unveil 2026 retailers’ catalogue at HTA National Plant Show
WYEVALE Nurseries’ 2026 promotional catalogue aimed at retailers is launching at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) National Plant Show this week featuring an abundance of new British-grown varieties (June 2025). The leading commercial grower is showcasing...
Patron & Strategic News
Free Talk on Student Finance
As people preparing for university courses in September begin the next steps of their application process, a free online talk is being offered to help with applying for student finance. Held by colleagues at the University of Worcester, the talk titled ‘Making Your...
Elite and Talented Student Athletes Celebrated at Awards Ceremony
Elite and talented athletes studying at the University of Worcester have been recognised at an inaugural sports award’s ceremony. Seven awards were handed out at the awards, including UW Sports Personality of the Year, Academic Commitment, Excellence in Leadership,...
Chamber News
Grow your Business
Business growth is constantly thrown around in the corporate world; however, the word ‘growth’ can have many connotations. For some, growth is physical—buying a bigger office, increasing the workforce, or increasing distribution. For others, growth may be personal;...
UK General Election Announced – 4 July
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the United Kingdom will hold a general election on Thursday, 4 July. This decision marks a significant moment in the country’s political landscape as parties prepare to present their visions for the future. In...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: 2wish – 2wish provides immediate and ongoing bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult. Agri Incineration Systems Limited...
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: 2wish – 2wish provides immediate and ongoing bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult. Agri Incineration Systems Limited...
Policy News
Inflation Rises as Cost Burdens Loom for Business
Reacting to the latest inflation data from the ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research said: “While inflation is down considerably from this time last year, the larger than expected uptick in October highlights the continuing price pressures in the economy. Electricity...
Residents Urged to Vote for their Favourite Small Business as Part of Bradley’s Inaugural Awards
Residents across Bromsgrove and the Villages can now vote for their favourite small business as part of Bradley Thomas MP’s inaugural awards. Ahead of this year’s Small Business Saturday on December 7th, Bradley is celebrating the contribution small businesses make to...
Skills News
Three Major FE Colleges “connect” to deliver the Government’s Skills Accelerator Programme
The three major FE Colleges in Worcestershire, Heart of Worcestershire College, Warwickshire College Group and Kidderminster College, have been successful in securing government funding to work collaboratively as part of the government’s Skills Accelerator Programme....
Local Employers invited to share their views on Recruitment Incentives
Worcestershire employers are being made aware of a survey to help gather views on national recruitment incentives. To support employers during the COVID pandemic, the Government introduced a new incentive payment for businesses that hired a new apprentice. Gov are now...
Charity News
ISO QSL Relaunches Award-Winning Bingo Box Challenge in Support of Worcester Foodbank
With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and an increasing number of individuals facing financial hardship, the need for support in our community has never been more pressing. Over the past year alone, foodbanks within the Trussell Trust network have distributed over...
The Courtyard October Film Listings
OCTOBER FILM Mon 14, 6.30pm RADIX FILM CLUB PRESENT: RUN LOLA RUN (1998, 15, 35mm) Radix Film Club is bringing back the German mega-hit Run Lola Run on a glorious 35mm print. After her boyfriend Manni loses 100,000DM, Lola has 20 minutes to raise the money and deliver...
Domestic Market and Online Offer Hope To Businesses
More than a third (35%) of UK firms expect to grow in the next year, while 41% forecast ‘business as usual’ and 22% expect to downsize Four in 10 businesses (38%) see the UK domestic market as the biggest opportunity Online remains a key driver of growth for...
BCC News
Domestic Market and Online Offer Hope To Businesses
More than a third (35%) of UK firms expect to grow in the next year, while 41% forecast ‘business as usual’ and 22% expect to downsize Four in 10 businesses (38%) see the UK domestic market as the biggest opportunity Online remains a key driver of growth for...
Worcestershire News
Two more Autumn Steam Gala Guests for the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway has announced the addition of two more guest locomotives for its Autumn Steam Gala on Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 September. Black Five 44932 and Saddle Tank 51456 will join an exciting line-up of guest and home fleet engines for four days of...
Bank Holiday celebrations for a Century-old Locomotive at the Severn Valley Railway
Bank Holiday visitors to the Severn Valley Railway will get the chance to wish happy birthday to a grand old steam locomotive, as No 4566 celebrates its first century. The locomotive is on static display at The Engine House, Highley and its supporters are busy raising...
Herefordshire News
Marches LEP Awards Nearly £340,000 of Energy Grants in Green Boost for Business
Nearly £340,000 in grants has been awarded across the Marches under a new scheme to improve energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions. Thirty companies and community groups across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin have been awarded the funding...
Damson Nº12 Liqueur, A Toast to Herefordshire’s Rich Agricultural Legacy
A fruit synonymous with the British countryside, the Damson fruit has long been a symbol of tradition and a testament to the rich agricultural history of regions like Herefordshire. Steeped in tradition and history, Gattertop Drinks damson vodka liqueur captures the...
All Latest News
Unlock HR Success: Expert-Led Workshops for Worcestershire Organisations
Worcestershire businesses are being offered valuable support through a new series of events focused on key HR topics. This support is designed to enhance the workforce and help organisations thrive. In today’s fast-changing landscape, many businesses are navigating...
Will writing drive to raise funds for Worcestershire Community Foundation
Specialist legal teams at two Worcester law firms are throwing their support behind the Worcestershire Community Foundation through a month-long Will writing initiative. Throughout June, solicitors at City firms Bradley Haynes and HCR Law will be offering to write...
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
US Trade Deal Provides Welcome Relief
Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. “The reduction in the 25% tariffs on most of our automotive exports and the...
Severn Valley Railway launches short film to celebrate its 60th anniversary
The Severn Valley Railway has released a short promotional film, celebrating its 60th anniversary and marking its involvement with the Railway 200 celebrations that are also taking place in 2025-26. The film features a range of volunteers from across the railway,...
Rate Cut Provides Shock Absorber for Business
Responding to the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates to 4.25%, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s interest rate cut to 4.25% will help absorb some of the shocks that businesses are facing on...
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