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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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Severn Valley Railway honoured at Heritage Railway Association awards
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating after receiving the Chairman’s Special Award at the 2026 Heritage Railway Association awards in Llandudno on Saturday 7 March. This was given in recognition of the tremendous team effort by volunteers, staff and partnership...
Latest Article
Severn Valley Railway honoured at Heritage Railway Association awards
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating after receiving the Chairman’s Special Award at the 2026 Heritage Railway Association awards in Llandudno on Saturday 7 March. This was given in recognition of the tremendous team effort by volunteers, staff and partnership...
Member News
Give to gain and the rise of flexible marketing
International Women’s Day often focuses on confidence and visibility as well as representation. All important. But this year’s theme, Give to Gain, feels practical. If you create the right environment for people to grow and share knowledge, the business benefits too....
Implementing Neuroinclusive Practices in the Workplace: Live Panel Discussion Brings Together Local Champions of Inclusion for Neurodiversity Celebration Week
‘Implementing Neuroinclusive Practices in the Workplace’, a live panel discussion for Neurodiversity Celebration Week, will bring together passionate professionals who are actively driving inclusion in their practice. Cath Darwen, Business Engagement and Support...
Patron & Strategic News
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...
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...
Chamber News
Chairs Report September 2024
I watched, with great interest, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, on the BBC News this morning (19th September), stating the government’s determination to stamp out late payments: especially for small businesses. Taking points from the...
LSIP Event
Business leaders and education providers in the Midlands have urged the new Government to ‘stick to the plan’ when it comes to closing the skills gap and helping businesses to develop the labour force they need. The plea came at an event celebrating the progress made...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Barnsley Marshall Limited – Barnsley Marshall are structural and civil engineers with a well-diverse and experienced team in engineering, problem solving and customer service. Bee Lighting Ltd – Bee Lighting are...
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Barnsley Marshall Limited – Barnsley Marshall are structural and civil engineers with a well-diverse and experienced team in engineering, problem solving and customer service. Bee Lighting Ltd – Bee Lighting are...
Policy News
Labour Pressures Continue for Businesses
Reacting 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 remains a significant challenge for employers who are struggling with skills...
Surgical Red-Tape Cuts Can Boost Business
Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech on regulation and civil service reform, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses want regulation which supports rather than hampers them – and we’re encouraged by the Prime...
Skills News
Apprenticeships show their role in Creating Worcestershire’s Future Workforce
The Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards were celebrated in a new virtual manner with broadcasts across three days for the first time ever from Tuesday 16th November until Thursday 18th November. Worcestershire gathered in droves to celebrate the 2021 Worcestershire...
NMITE’s Herefordshire Skills for the Future team launches Early Career Leadership Programme (ECLP)
The supported development programme is fully funded for Early Careers employees from Herefordshire SMEs NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) is pleased to announce the launch of our ECLP. The programme will provide employees of local businesses...
Charity News
Courtyard install aquarium for the summer
The Courtyard is delighted to announce a temporary aquarium will be installed in its Gallery for families to visit for free this summer. To celebrate a year of animal themed productions (The Jungle Book and Animal Farm), The Courtyard is turning its top floor gallery...
The Courtyard makes the finals of Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025
The Courtyard is thrilled to announce it is a finalist in the 2025 Visit England Awards for Excellence in the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism’ category. In February, Head of Sales and Marketing Jessica Prosser and Head of Operations Phillip Pearcy attended the Visit...
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...
BCC 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...
Worcestershire News
2024 Elgar Festival Hailed as ‘Best Event Yet’
The Worcestershire-based Elgar Festival returned for its May and June events this year with a joyful week of concerts, conversations, events and exhibitions celebrating the life and music of Britain’s greatest composer. The music of the Festival’s namesake was the...
‘Allo Allo’! It must be time to Step Back to the 1940s at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is getting ‘in the mood’ for two rip-roaring weekends of 1940s fun, as it steps back 80 years to the British home front on 29 and 30 June, and 6 and 7 July. This year for the first time ever, the popular event will see appearances by...
Herefordshire News
Dewsall Court: Elevating Corporate Events in the Heart of Herefordshire
We are thrilled to announce that Dewsall Court has recently become a proud member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering local business connections and contributing to the vibrant...
The Haybarn Christmas Party
Christmas Party Event 2nd December at The Haybarn, Herefordshire Join us for a night of festive fun and fabulous food at The Haybarn. Book your tables for your company & team Christmas party or family & friends Christmas gathering. Saturday 2nd December...
All Latest News
Employment Rights Bill: What Every Business Needs to Know
The UK is on the verge of a major employment law overhaul. The Employment Rights Bill—hailed as the most significant upgrade in a generation—is expected to become law imminently. Its impact will be universal: every business, regardless of size or sector, will need to...
Huge Potential In Future Of CPTPP
In his latest trade blog, William Bain, examines if the UK’s membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement For Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has made a difference for businesses and what happens next: It is now a year since the UK became a member of...
BCC Applauds Improved South Korean Trade Deal
Reacting to news of a new trade deal with South Korea, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This looks to be a well-tailored deal that will suit the commercial interests of both our countries. Around £15bn worth of goods and services is already...
EU Trade Getting Harder
More than half (54%) of exporters think the UK-EU trade deal is not helping them grow sales. This is a 13-percentage point increase in the proportion of firms who are unhappy with the deal compared to last year. In total, just four out of 946 firms (0%) thought the...
Severn Valley Railway ends season on a high with hugely successful winter enthusiast events
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has rounded off its 2025 operating season in style, following the outstanding success of its two end-of-season enthusiast events: the Winter Diesel Day on 29 December 2025 and the two-day Winter Steam Gala on 3 and 4 January 2026. Both...
Pineapple Recruitment launches new Finance and HR recruitment arm
A leading specialist recruitment firm has expanded its services through the launch of a dedicated Finance and HR recruitment division. Pineapple Recruitment has unveiled its new division which will focus on providing the best professionals for full-time and interim...
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