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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.
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.
Meningitis
A child becomes drowsy in your setting. An adult complains of a severe headache and goes home. It does not feel urgent. It is. This is how meningitis gets missed. It does not always look dramatic. No rash. No clear signs. Just someone who seems off, tired, confused,...
Latest Article
Meningitis
A child becomes drowsy in your setting. An adult complains of a severe headache and goes home. It does not feel urgent. It is. This is how meningitis gets missed. It does not always look dramatic. No rash. No clear signs. Just someone who seems off, tired, confused,...
Member News
SPELLER METCALFE REPORTS STRONGEST FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN COMPANY HISTORY
Speller Metcalfe has announced the strongest financial performance in its history, reporting a 48% increase in profit before tax (PBT) to £5.0m for the year ending 31 March 2026. The Midlands and South West building contractor achieved turnover of £158.9m while...
Building a website that works for everyone, not just the people testing it
When a website launches, someone checks it, usually on a decent laptop, a fast connection, and a browser they use every day. It looks great, job done! The trouble is, that’s not who your customers are. A customer checking your site is often on their phone, on...
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
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce work with Crosby Associates Media to relaunch 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...
Welcome new Members – June
Warm welcome to our newest Members! Apogee Associates Limited – Apogee help you receive R&D tax relief and access innovation grants, providing your business with the funds necessary to fuel your groundbreaking projects. Arden Studio Business Solutions Ltd...
Our Latest Member
Penguin Office Supplies Ltd Expands with a Record-Breaking Sales Year
Following a remarkable year of record-breaking sales, family business Penguin Office Supplies are expanding as part of their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the Penguin customer family. The expansion has been fuelled by the redevelopment of...
Penguin Office Supplies Ltd Expands with a Record-Breaking Sales Year
Following a remarkable year of record-breaking sales, family business Penguin Office Supplies are expanding as part of their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the Penguin customer family. The expansion has been fuelled by the redevelopment of...
Policy News
Devolution Plans must Deliver on Local Economic Growth
After the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament today, Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome further devolution to...
Trade Strategy Must Support Smaller Exporters
Fewer than one fifth (18%) of micro-exporters (fewer than 10 employees) increased export orders in Q2, with 29% reporting a decrease. By comparison, 29% of large exporters (more than 250 staff) increased their export orders with a fifth (20%) reporting a drop. More...
Skills News
The Balance Between Skills and Personality
Servicing and repairing multifunctional printers requires a pretty specific set of skills. The engineering team at Clarity Solutions, led by Service Director Mark Berryman, have decades of experience between them and they’re generous with their knowledge. Having...
Businesses invited to secure their spot to hire new employees
Award-winning supported employment and training charity, Landau, is organising its second Hereford job fair to help even more people across the county into work. Following the success of its first Hereford jobs fair in October 2021, the charity is hosting a larger...
Charity News
Turn your unwanted Christmas gifts into a lifeline for local children
Did Santa bring you a gorgeous gift… that you already own? Did you get something fabulous and fashionable, but it doesn’t quite fit? Or have the festivities left your wardrobes and cupboards feeling a little too bloated? Before you mistle-toss them into the attic, why...
Youngsters’ artwork features in campaign encouraging parents to spot signs and symptoms of childhood cancer
Drawings by children who have undergone cancer treatment are featuring in a charity awareness campaign encouraging parents to recognise the early signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. The artwork by youngsters who have received treatment, along with those from...
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
BCC News
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
Worcestershire News
Model Railway Paradise at the Severn Valley Railway
Hundreds of model railway enthusiasts will be gathering at the Severn Valley Railway over the weekend of 19 and 20 October for the heritage line’s third annual O Gauge Get Together. The main event takes place at The Engine House, Highley, and offers the chance to see...
Severn Valley Railway’s King & Castle pub is in the 2025 Good Beer Guide
Staff are raising a glass at the Severn Valley Railway’s King & Castle pub, after finding out that, yet again, they’ve won recognition in the Good Beer Guide for 2025. The King & Castle is housed within the heritage railway’s Kidderminster station and has long...
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
Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants appoint new Associate Partner
Ormerod Rutter are delighted to announce the promotion of Marc Jovanovic to Associate Partner. Marc joined the firm in 2015 as a Tax Junior and has gone on to build an outstanding career with us. After qualifying for AAT in 2017, he went on to achieve his CTA...
Bromsgrove Speaking Coach takes to the TEDx Stage for the Second Time
Bromsgrove-based speaker coach and professional speaker Dave James delivered his second TEDx talk at TEDxWorcester in January 2026, using the world-renowned platform to make the case for human communication in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. The...
NMITE AWARDED INVESTMENT TO BOOST STUDENT PLACES AND FACILITIES TO STRENGTHEN UK DEFENCE INDUSTRY
Directly supporting the building of the country’s sovereign capability NMITE, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering, today announces that it is the recipient of a new government award which will enable it to offer additional student places and build...
Meet the Author of New Crime Thriller Based in Worcester
A crime thriller set in Worcester will take centre stage at a special free author event at The Hive next month. Tony Fisher, former BBC radio presenter and novelist, will be talking about his latest book, Good Gone Bad, on July 8 at the city’s library; the very place...
Trade Holding Up As Fuel Imports Shift
Commenting on the latest trade data released by the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Rising fuel prices due to the Iran War are now clearly influencing international trade. April was...
‘Growth Delivery Test’ Can Turn Ambition into Action
The President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on policymakers to introduce a ‘growth delivery test’ to help businesses turn ambition into action. A major new report, co-authored by Andy Haldane, says the UK can break through its decades...
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