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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.
Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye 2026 Announces Dates and Opens Exhibitor Opportunities for a “World of Different”
Hay-on-Wye, Wales — Hay Festival, the world-renowned celebration of literature, ideas, and creativity, will return to the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park from 21–31 May 2026, inviting audiences and exhibitors to experience eleven days of talks,...
Latest Article
Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye 2026 Announces Dates and Opens Exhibitor Opportunities for a “World of Different”
Hay-on-Wye, Wales — Hay Festival, the world-renowned celebration of literature, ideas, and creativity, will return to the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park from 21–31 May 2026, inviting audiences and exhibitors to experience eleven days of talks,...
Member News
Hayward Wright Accountancy & Advisory partners with Worcester City Football Club
Worcester-based, full-service accountancy and advisory firm Hayward Wright Accountancy & Advisory has announced a partnership with Worcester City Football Club. The firm has entered a 12-month partnership and sponsorship programme with the football club as a...
Entrepreneur Launches Sustainability App to Help Universities Go Green
A student has launched a brand-new sustainability app, after securing funding from her university. Carolina Furtado is currently completing her Master’s in Computer Sciences at the University of Worcester, having already graduated in Business and Finance, also from...
Patron & Strategic News
Why We Love Christmas Songs, and the Fascinating Fantasy Science of Christmas!
Why do the same Christmas songs return every year? And what would it actually take for reindeer to achieve flight? These questions will be answered in a free public talk at The Hive next week, hosted by experts from the University of Worcester. Lou Aimes-Hill,...
Worcestershire celebrates outstanding success at Annual Apprenticeship Awards
Worcestershire celebrated its commitment to developing local talent and skills at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on Thursday 13 November. Now in their eleventh year of the Apprenticeships Awards, the 2025 celebrations continued to recognise the amazing...
Chamber News
Unlocking AI Potential: How the BCC AI Academy Is Helping Local Businesses Thrive
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword, but a business imperative, the BCC AI Academy is proving to be a game-changer for regional organisations. This is not just theoretical training; it’s a practical, hands-on programme...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Partners with Worcestershire’s 2026 TechFest
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce partners with Worcestershire’s 2026 TechFest. We are thrilled to announce our role as Official Partners for Worcestershire TechFest 2026. Following on from a successful launch in 2025, which saw 500+...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Policy News
Inflation Eases – But Action Must Follow
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation data published this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be hoping October’s inflation rate of 3.6% is further evidence that inflation may now be past its peak....
Sluggish Economy Demands Strong Business Support
Reacting to the latest GDP data published this morning by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With a backdrop of weak business and investment confidence, sluggish Q3 growth of just 0.1% is unsurprising. “But the data...
Skills News
Initial Wave of Innovators Join Business Support Programme with Worcestershire’s First AI Testbed Facilities
A bold new chapter in Worcestershire’s innovation landscape begins as 15 early-stage technology businesses commence BetaDen’s newly opened incubator programme at the Old Court in Kidderminster. BetaDen is Worcestershire’s provider of support programmes for innovative...
Trio complete training contracts at Worcestershire law firm
Three up and coming lawyers are celebrating after completing their training contracts with Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors. Solicitors Sufyaan Aslim, Lucy Palmer and Molly Wall have now been appointed into full-time positions at the law firm having completed...
Charity News
World-class! A landmark moment as Acorns new Chair of Trustees announced
It was a landmark moment at Birmingham’s most iconic store when a high-profile appointment at Acorns Children’s Hospice was officially announced – with a spectacular bang. Samantha Watson, Store Director at Selfridges Birmingham, was revealed as the charity’s new...
Recycle Your Christmas Tree with the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Worcestershire-based Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust will launch its 6th year of recycling Christmas trees on 15th November. For a voluntary donation, your tree will be taken away by the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust’s team of volunteers to local recycling...
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
Severn Valley Railway wins UK Enterprise award
The Severn Valley Railway has been named as Leading Railway Enthusiast Site in the 2025 SME UK Enterprise Awards. Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll said: ‘SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are...
SVR confirms 35006 P&O S N Co and overnight running for its Autumn Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed the first guest for its Autumn Steam Gala will be 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co, which will make its first-ever appearance at the heritage line during the four-day event from 18 to 21 September. And, in a special move...
Herefordshire News
Hereford Military History Festival
The Hereford Military History Festival has announced the next 10 events for its debut festival, which will take place from Friday 26th – Sunday 28th September 2025. Featuring internationally renowned writers and thinkers, including Philippe Sands, Clare...
Branding with Purpose: Wye Valley Brewery Leads the Conversation at The Marketing Meetup – Worcester
Last week, the Worcester marketing community came together for The Marketing Meetup, this was only the second event – this time sponsored by Nifty Communications and hosted at the co-working space Vinegar Works on Foregate Street. This impactful event brought together...
All Latest News
Finding Your Voice: Why Speaking Skills Matter More Than Ever
They say that people have a greater fear of speaking in public than they do of death. And while this is not actually true – the research results are used with a large degree of poetic licence – for many, speaking in public still feels edgy and risky. If...
REHAU Celebrates Two Major Award Wins at 2025 National Fenestration Awards
REHAU UK is proud to announce that it has won two major awards at the prestigious National Fenestration Awards (NFAs) this year, recognising its continuing innovation, product quality and outstanding service that it delivers to customers year after year. The 2025...
Upskilling Through Apprenticeships at SME Solicitors
Over the last year, SME Solicitors has been upskilling team members through apprenticeship and skills bootcamp courses. Jack Stirzaker, who is undertaking a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing with The Development Manager, discusses his experience. I...
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...
Charity Quiz raises over £1,700 for Redgate Sports
SME Solicitors’ 13th Annual Charity Quiz, hosted on 13 November at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, raised £1,789.78 for Redgate Sports, a local charity dedicated to creating sports opportunities for young people. Since its official launch in June 2024,...
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