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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.
Worcester Runner Goes for a Second World Record
A University of Worcester colleague is aiming to become the world’s fastest man to complete the London Marathon in full graduation attire. 50-year-old Chris Garratt, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the University, has had his attempt formally accepted by Guinness...
Latest Article
Worcester Runner Goes for a Second World Record
A University of Worcester colleague is aiming to become the world’s fastest man to complete the London Marathon in full graduation attire. 50-year-old Chris Garratt, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the University, has had his attempt formally accepted by Guinness...
Member News
SME Solicitors supports Workplace Wellbeing with new Mental Health First Aider
In September, Jessica Aldersey, SME Solicitors’ Office Manager, dedicated two working days to completing a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course with Garrett Learning. This comprehensive training has equipped Jess with valuable skills that will benefit both herself...
SME Solicitors’ Private Client team wins ‘Team of the Year’
SME Solicitors, based in Worcester, is delighted to announce that its Private Client team was awarded ‘Private Client Team of the Year’ at the Worcestershire Law Society Awards 2025. The team was recognised for its exceptional client service and community...
Patron & Strategic News
Discover the Woman Behind Frankenstein in Worcester
With a new Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein now captivating audiences around the world, a special event at The Hive will look at the life of the woman behind one of the most famous horror stories ever written. Award-winning biographer Professor Fiona Sampson will...
University Experts Explain Why Jane Austen Still Has Us Hooked After 250 Years
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of her birth, experts from the University of Worcester will explore our fascination with the author Jane Austen in a free event next month. The discussion, titled ‘Why are we obsessed with Jane Austen?’ will take place at The...
Chamber News
Autumn Budget 2024: Key Points
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered Labour’s first Budget since 2010, after the party’s return to power in July’s general election. Here are some key points to take away from the Autumn Budget. Personal Tax and benefits The Minimum wage for adults over 21 is set to...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Release the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q3 2024
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q3 2024, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The Quarterly Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of economic data collected from a diverse range...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Policy News
Toxic Mix As Businesses Prepare for Tax Rise
QES_infosheet_Q1_2025 59% of businesses say tax, including national insurance, is now a concern, the second highest level on record following a peak in the previous quarter Business confidence remains subdued, with less than half of firms (48%) expecting turnover to...
US Tariffs To Hit UK Economy
Reacting to news of a 10% tariff on all UK exports to the US and higher tariffs for other countries, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “The Government has kept a cool head so far and must continue to negotiate. This is a marathon not a sprint, and...
Skills News
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...
The Impact Of Brexit On Companies Wishing To Employ EU Nationals
Brexit has had far reaching implications on the UK economy, in particular in relation to recruitment and employing European nationals who previously had the right to work in the UK. Whilst is still possible for European citizens to come and live and work in the UK,...
Charity News
The Courtyard, Hereford – May Film Listings
Mon 19, 6.30pm RADIX FILM CLUB: KIM’S VIDEO (18) Kim’s Video, an iconic video store in New York City, mysteriously closed its doors and sent its legendary film archive to a Sicilian village for “safekeeping.” But what starts as an homage to cinema quickly becomes a...
Worcester kids to benefit from recruitment firm’s Easter Egg generosity
Expert Worcester jobs firm Pineapple Recruitment has donated over 200 Easter eggs to a local foodbank. Staff at the Diglis-based recruiter, which specialises in providing staff for the hospitality and catering industries, have donated the chocolate treats to Worcester...
Rate Cut Will Help Firms in Choppy Waters
Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome the decision to cut the base rate to 4%, marking a further move away from a prolonged period of...
BCC News
Rate Cut Will Help Firms in Choppy Waters
Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome the decision to cut the base rate to 4%, marking a further move away from a prolonged period of...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway is Finalist in Three Categories for Visit Worcestershire Awards
Staff and volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway have a lot to smile about right now, as the leading heritage line has been selected as a finalist in three separate categories for the 2024/2025 Visit Worcestershire Awards. The railway is in the running to scoop the...
It’s a Super Saturday at the Severn Valley Railway
On the final day of August, the Severn Valley Railway is putting on a mini enthusiast event to mark the fact that has a particularly superb line-up of locomotives in service. On Saturday 31 August, two visiting steam locomotives, 45596 ‘Bahamas’ and 2999 ‘Lady of...
Herefordshire News
Hereford Production Company Rural Studios Awarded Funding as Part of BBC’s Small Indie Fund
Launched in 2020, the highly contested Small Indie Fund supports the growth of small independent production companies across the UK and will help Rural Studios to scale up its TV ambitions. Rural Studios currently has a returning show on BBC4, “The Read”, recently...
Teacher Encounters to help boost careers education
Teachers are being given the chance to get hands-on experience at workplaces across the region as part of a new scheme to boost links between education and the world of work. The Marches Careers Hub’s Teacher Encounters programme gives teachers the chance to get out...
All Latest News
Creative Mouse – celebrating 25 years of design
This year marks a special milestone for us at Creative Mouse – 25 years of design, collaboration, and creativity. Since opening our doors in 2000, we’ve come a long way, and we’re proud to celebrate the journey that brought us here. Creative Mouse was founded by three...
Welcome New Members October
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout October. TR Solar & Roofing – provides expert solar installations and roofing solutions to make your home energy-efficient and sustainable Exceptional Development – empowers individuals and...
Small Firms Need More Help to Unlock Trade Opportunities
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, published at the start of International Trade Week, shows a widening divide between the fortunes of different sized UK exporters. The Trade Confidence Outlook results underline the need for urgent...
Regional Employers Eager to Snap Up University Talent
Dozens of regional employers gathered at the University of Worcester’s Careers Fair to connect with students and scout future graduate talent. Held on campus by the University’s Business School, hundreds of students were able to meet representatives from companies...
West Midlands employers honoured with top Defence award for Armed Forces support
Nineteen organisations from across the West Midlands region have been recognised with the Ministry of Defence’s highest Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) honour – the Gold Award – for their outstanding commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. The...
Custom GPTs: The Next Leap in Business Productivity
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea – it’s quietly transforming how we work. One of the most promising developments is the rise of custom GPTs: AI assistants that can be tailored to an organisation’s own data, language, and way of working....
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