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.
OrchardFest Returns – Join Orchard Trust For Their Accessible Music Festival on 15th August 2026
Orchard Trust is excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest is returning on 15th August 2026! About the Festival: OrchardFest 2026 is Orchard Trust’s popular accessible music festival, designed especially for people with learning disabilities, where everyone is...
Latest Article
OrchardFest Returns – Join Orchard Trust For Their Accessible Music Festival on 15th August 2026
Orchard Trust is excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest is returning on 15th August 2026! About the Festival: OrchardFest 2026 is Orchard Trust’s popular accessible music festival, designed especially for people with learning disabilities, where everyone is...
Member News
Free return visit offer makes summer even better at the SVR
Families can enjoy twice the fun for the price of one this summer, as the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) launches a special Free Return Visit offer alongside a packed programme of heritage train travel and family entertainment. Visitors booking Freedom of the Line...
BROMSGROVE SPEAKING COACH RECEIVES HIGHLY COMMENDED AT NATIONAL SPEAKER AWARDS
Bromsgrove-based speaker coach and two-time TEDx speaker Dave James has received a Highly Commended award in the TEDx Speaker of the Year category at the Speaker Awards 2026. The Speaker Awards, now in its fifth year, recognises the most inspiring and innovative...
Patron & Strategic News
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...
Building Confidence: HWGTA’s Apprentice Residential Success
The end of May saw HWGTA’s final apprentice residential of the year, supporting over 100 apprentices from engineering and commerce pathways across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. These residentials are a distinctive feature of our learner journey, offering...
Chamber News
Business Challenges: How the Chamber Supports your Business.
Following the recent budget, businesses may encounter new challenges alongside ongoing pressures from the cost of living and energy crises. The Chamber provides support to help businesses grow and thrive. By conducting local research on key issues, from infrastructure...
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Our Latest Member
Hands On At Work are back!
We have just rejoined the Chamber. Initially, we joined in 2010 as a new business needing support and advice. 14 years later we have grown from 2 people to a team of 200+ therapists delivering workplace massage and wellbeing services across the UK. The Chamber gave us...
Hands On At Work are back!
We have just rejoined the Chamber. Initially, we joined in 2010 as a new business needing support and advice. 14 years later we have grown from 2 people to a team of 200+ therapists delivering workplace massage and wellbeing services across the UK. The Chamber gave us...
Policy News
UK-India Trade Agreement – A Big Deal For Business
Reacting to news of an agreement in principle for a free trade deal between the UK and India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is a huge boost to our economies and a welcome lift for our exporters....
Stumbling Blocks Remain In Employment Rights Bill
Ahead of the committee stage of the Employment Rights Bill starting in the House of Lords, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This is a critical stage in the process and the window of opportunity to get the right...
Skills News
Fully Funded Training for Independent Businesses to Help You Grow
Small and medium sized enterprises in Herefordshire and Worcestershire can take advantage of free training in a range of areas across Technology, Digital Skills and IT to upskill their workforce and drive growth. The training courses are delivered as part of the...
Pershore College graduates celebrate in duo of ceremonies
Pershore College graduates from across the last two years have been celebrating their successes in a duo of ceremonies in Warwick. The former students were presented with certificates at St Mary’s Church in Warwick as part of college group WCG’s (which includes...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Recognises Local Heroes and raises £70,000 at Annual Awards
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity celebrated its annual Saving Lives Charity Ball on Thursday 25th September, honouring inspirational individuals, fundraisers, volunteers, and corporate partners who make its lifesaving missions possible. The black-tie event, hosted by...
Gift Aid Fuels 105 life-saving missions for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
To mark Gift Aid Awareness Day on Thursday 9th October, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is showcasing the incredible impact of a simple tick box exercise, and how it can save lives. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters and the power of Gift Aid, the...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
Ballards Opens third office this year
Ballards Accounting Firm continues to strengthen its regional presence with the opening of a new office in Worcester, marking its third office launch in the Midlands this year. The latest addition, located in Diglis Waterside, will also be occupied by Four Squared...
Experts to Discuss the Topics we don’t Talk about at The Hive
Experts from the University of Worcester will confront some of the most un-talked about and controversial topics of our time in a new series at The Hive in the coming weeks. The ‘Talking Taboos Discussion Group’ series will cover ‘fat activism’, sex, and ‘cancel...
Herefordshire News
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...
Marches LEP launches new £140,000 transport fund
A new fund to help finance the preparation of strategic business cases for vital transport infrastructure projects has been launched by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The £140,000 fund – developed in partnership with regional transport body Midlands Connect...
All Latest News
Community Power Celebrate Mayor’s Charity Partnership
Community Power and Lee’s Place were recently honoured to attend the Mayor Making Ceremony in Hereford for the installation of the 645th Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Cat Hornsey. The event was a celebration of community, partnership, and civic pride, bringing...
Britannic Place strengthens team following continued growth
Worcester-based Chartered Financial Planning firm Britannic Place Financial Management Ltd has welcomed three new team members as part of its long-term growth plans. Andrea Arnold has joined the business as Business Manager, bringing experience from a senior...
Business Groups Unite In Stand Against Antisemitism
The UK’s leading business organisations have signed a joint letter pledging to take a stand against antisemitism, committing to concrete action to support Jewish employees and foster inclusive workplaces. The initiative, co-ordinated by the British Chambers of...
EchoGuide Theatre: A Herefordshire Tool Ready for Rehearsal Rooms Anywhere
In a decade of teaching, I supported students preparing for speaking assessments. Most clung to the wall. Heads down, sleeves pulled over their hands to shrink away. Their voices came out tiny and inconsistent, stuttering and stammering. Only one student years seemed...
Steel Tariffs Risk Serious Damage To UK Manufacturers
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that changes to UK steel quotas and tariffs could add millions of pounds to manufacturers’ costs. In a letter to the Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, the BCC said the proposed regime risks creating ‘real financial and...
Kaleidoscope Plus Group Launches Free Ebook to Help Young People Cope with Exam Stress
Mental health and wellbeing charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group has launched a new free digital resource designed to help young people manage stress and anxiety during exam season. The ebook Dealing with Exam Stress has been created to support teenagers and young adults...
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