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.
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Latest Article
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Member News
Artist Unveils Cromwell-Inspired Textiles in Major Exhibition at The Hive
A decade-long journey of creativity, literature, and archival discovery will be unveiled at The Hive in Worcester, as textile artist Dr Lucie Bea Dutton presents a lecture and exhibition, inspired by Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy. Dr Dutton has spent more than a...
Raising the Next Generation of Management Accountants
It’s been 8 years since JR Management Accountancy first started recruiting placement students from the University of Worcester. Since then, our small business has boomed in production and efficiency. We’ve hired 5 placement students following up to this point, and...
Patron & Strategic News
University of Worcester Graduate Champions Inclusivity for Disabled Young People in Worcestershire
A graduate of the University of Worcester is making a difference to disabled people in Worcestershire as part of a forum aimed at improving accessibility and inclusivity. Christian Wilson has joined Voices United Worcestershire, a forum for young people up to 25 years...
Early Childhood Degree at Worcester Earns Top National Recognition
The University of Worcester’s Early Childhood BA course has been awarded the prestigious Early Childhood Graduate Practitioners Competencies Quality Mark. The national recognition is awarded by the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN), and confirms 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: Barton Court – Called ‘Herefordshire’s hidden gem’, Barton Court is a compact, historic country estate with a range of spaces and accommodation for business and leisure activities. With three big...
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Barton Court – Called ‘Herefordshire’s hidden gem’, Barton Court is a compact, historic country estate with a range of spaces and accommodation for business and leisure activities. With three big...
Policy News
Labour Market Pressures Bearing Down on Firms
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The labour market continues to be a significant pressure bearing down on businesses of all sizes....
Extent Of US Tariff Impact Revealed
62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will be negatively impacted by US tariffs, compared to 41% with no exposure 32% of firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will increase prices in response to the tariff 44% of firms with exposure to the...
Skills News
Businesses celebrating apprenticeship week
National Apprenticeship Week takes place from 7-13 February and looks to celebrate apprentices across the country and the value they bring to businesses. Hiring an apprentice is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to effectively grow talent and develop a skilled...
Construction Employer’s Evening at Kidderminster College – You’re Invited!
Kidderminster College is hosting its first ever Construction Employer’s Evening and you’re invited! They will have tutors, students and the college employer engagement team on hand to speak with you about all the ways in which Kidderminster College can help your...
Charity News
Delighted to announce our new partnership with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity
We’re absolutely delighted to announce our new partnership with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity for the next 12 months! Our Hands On At Work team will be delivering seated massage sessions to the incredible staff at Worcester, Redditch, and Kidderminster...
Worcestershire Ambassadors: Celebrating 25 Years of Giving Back
Worcestershire Ambassadors have proudly raised and donated an incredible £1.25 million over the last 25 years to support our local community. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’re excited to announce a special initiative: 25 in 25. Our goal is to raise...
Pharma Deal A Welcome Boost For UK
Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now...
BCC News
Pharma Deal A Welcome Boost For UK
Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now...
Worcestershire News
The SVR Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of a ‘Transformational Vision’ at Kidderminster Town Station
Last weekend (27 and 28 July) saw the Severn Valley Railway celebrating a milestone in its history, as it marked 40 years since the opening of Kidderminster Town station. Hundreds of people gathered to honour the occasion, as senior railway figures paid tribute to the...
Entrepreneurs with early-stage tech ideas invited to participate in a new technology incubator programme
Building on the success of BetaDen Accelerate, the award-winning technology accelerator programme, and with Intake 1.0 of their new programme well underway, BetaDen is excited to announce the opening of recruitment for Intake 2.0 of their incubator programme,...
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
AI Education Embedded in All Undergraduate Business and Computing Courses at Worcester from September
Business and Computing students at the University of Worcester will be educated in the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) from September 2026. Leaders at Worcester Business School, which is home to the University’s Department of Computing, have designed a...
Raising money for Herefordshire mind charity
Back the end of November we organised a raffle in aid of Herefordshire Mind our charity of the year. Elgar Care teamed up with Barclays Worcester and very recently it was announced that Barclays bank Worcester had price matched our funds up to £1000. We managed to...
Lecturer to Shape Art Education for Millions of Pupils
A University of Worcester lecturer will be involved in shaping how children in England learn art in a redesign of education nationally following an independent review of the national curriculum. Kaytie Holdstock, a Primary Education Lecturer and specialist in Primary...
What Do You Do All Day? Find Out in New Podcast
Dandelion Video Production has launched a brand new jobs and careers podcast called “What Do You Do?”. The podcast examines jobs we might know nothing about, and explores unique approaches to ones we think we do. Each week, Dandelion co-founder Adam...
Worcester Keeps Doors Open for Applicants Beyond UCAS Equal Consideration Date
The University of Worcester has reaffirmed its commitment to consider every application for all courses (except Medicine) made in January, even after the UCAS equal consideration date (ECD) which has just passed at midnight on January 14. This guarantee applies even...
Worcester Prepares to Remember on Holocaust Memorial Day
Worcester will unite to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, with events that honour the memory of all who were affected by the Holocaust. The first event will take place on 27 January at Worcester Guildhall, a date that marks the anniversary of the liberation of...
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