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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.
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
Scoring Big: Brookes Catering Celebrates 25 Years with Stadium Triumph
Celebrating 25 years in business, Worcester’s Brookes Catering is having a landmark year, demonstrating how strategic growth can build on a legacy of quality. Long respected for bespoke corporate and wedding catering, the company’s reputation for fresh food and...
Dolphin Computer Access: Innovating for Accessibility, Inclusion and Global Impact
From its headquarters in Worcester, Dolphin Computer Access transforms lives through technology that empowers blind and partially sighted people. It’s a leading example of how innovation fuels commercial success and social impact. For more than 35 years, Dolphin has...
Patron & Strategic News
Key Employment Law Updates: Autumn 2025
1. Fire and Rehire – Government Softens Proposed BanThe Employment Rights Bill continues to target “fire and rehire” tactics, where employers dismiss staff to impose new terms. Dismissals linked to restricted variations (e.g. reductions in pay, hours, pensions, or...
Chambers & Partners success for law firm’s Employment team
The Employment and HR Services department from Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has been ranked in the prestigious 2026 UK Chambers & Partners Guide. Regarded as one of the legal sector’s most trusted measures of quality, Chambers & Partners is an...
Chamber News
BTOM (Border Target Operating Model)
Check what you need to do to be compliant and avoid disruption to your business and supply chain From 00:01 30 April 2024 traders must: Ensure goods arrive through an appropriately designated Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) for your commodity type...
PM’s Announcement Seen as Encouragement for our Defence Sector.
By the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Recently Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak announced a landmark increase in the UK’s defence budget whilst on a visit to Poland. This increase will be 2.5% of national income by 2030, allocating...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Areterra – Areterra’s aim is to support a growing number of people from the semi-rural area of Worcestershire, suffering from a variety of differing medical conditions including those with learning...
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Areterra – Areterra’s aim is to support a growing number of people from the semi-rural area of Worcestershire, suffering from a variety of differing medical conditions including those with learning...
Policy News
SME Divide Revealed on Environmental Targets
Ahead of COP 29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research has found a clear divide among SMEs on environmental targets. The survey, by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, shows around half of firms with more...
Autumn Budget 2024 – Strategic Insights for Farmers Facing New Inheritance Tax Caps
The 2024 Autumn Budget raised employers’ national insurance, capital gains tax and stamp duty on second homes, but a key concern for farmers is the new cap on agricultural relief from inheritance tax (IHT). In what is a major blow for the farming community, Chancellor...
Skills News
College group calls for industry leaders to support skills agenda delivery
A leading college group is calling on industry leaders in key sectors to help it deliver on local, regional and national skills agendas. WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) is looking for individuals to join the advisory boards of each of its six colleges – and...
Herefordshire employment project holds celebration event to mark the National Lottery’s 25th birthday
An employment programme led by Charity Landau, that helps Herefordshire people into work is holding a celebration event on Wednesday 22nd September to showcase the various opportunities available and the achievements of participants who have been supported by the...
Charity News
Terminally Ill Residents In Remote Region Of Tanzania, East Africa Receiving Expert Care Thanks To The Herefordshire-based Charity Muheza Hospice Care
An ever-increasing number of people living with terminal illness in a remote area of east Africa are receiving expert care and support thanks to the generosity of a Herefordshire charity. Muheza Hospice Care was set-up more than two decades ago by Doctors Karilyn and...
Boxes of HOPE for Christmas
Boxes of Hope: Help Feed Zimbabwean Children This Christmas – https://fth.org.uk/boxes-of-hope/welcome.php As Zimbabwe grapples with a severe food crisis, exacerbated by extended droughts and soaring temperatures, the nation’s most vulnerable people are facing...
Trade Strategy Must Support Smaller Exporters
Fewer than one fifth (18%) of micro-exporters (fewer than 10 employees) increased export orders in Q2, with 29% reporting a decrease. By comparison, 29% of large exporters (more than 250 staff) increased their export orders with a fifth (20%) reporting a drop. More...
BCC News
Trade Strategy Must Support Smaller Exporters
Fewer than one fifth (18%) of micro-exporters (fewer than 10 employees) increased export orders in Q2, with 29% reporting a decrease. By comparison, 29% of large exporters (more than 250 staff) increased their export orders with a fifth (20%) reporting a drop. More...
Worcestershire News
Spring Diesel Festival is a ‘smash hit’ with more than 5,000 Visitors at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating the success of its most recent rail enthusiast event, as it looks back on the four days of its Spring Diesel Festival. With visitor numbers significantly exceeding expectations, and a stunning line-up of diesel traction, the...
Musical Message at the Heart of Mural Created by University Students for the Worcester Community.
Students have created a 55-metre-long mural on a busy Worcester thoroughfare, completely transforming what was a graffiti scrawled wall in the city. The team spent days bringing the mural to life on the walkway between Hardwicke Close and Hylton Road next to the...
Herefordshire News
Forty Herefordshire Businesses Benefit from Free Energy Audits – with More up for Grabs!
Businesses from across the county have been taking advantage of a new scheme providing free energy audits as part of a campaign to reduce carbon emissions. The energy audits have been offered to members of the Greener Footprints ’30 for 2030’ initiative and the...
August 2023 Herefordshire Cost-of-Living Bulletin
In 2020 COVID-19 caused the most severe contraction in the UK economy for over 300 years. Although the economy bounced back strongly, aided by government support for workers and businesses, after a brief period of relative respite, the war in Ukraine has combined...
All Latest News
Local Innovation Takes Centre Stage as Worcestershire’s Programme Expands Support to Final Intake of 2025
Worcestershire’s innovation ecosystem continues to gather momentum as BetaDen, a multi-award-winning organisation providing support for innovative companies and entrepreneurs, welcomes its second and final intake of early-stage technology businesses to the Incubate...
DRPG Experience welcomes new creative talent
Creative communications group DRPG has announced two significant leadership updates within its Live Division continuing its investment in top talent and reaffirming its commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences for clients worldwide. James Khan has joined as...
Kidderminster College Leaders Reconnect with Roots at University of Worcester
Senior Leaders from Kidderminster College have returned to their former university to see the latest developments and discuss future collaboration in education across Worcestershire. During their visit to the University of Worcester, they toured facilities, met with...
Special Event to Launch Joel Richards Scholarship Fund at the University of Worcester
A special event at the University of Worcester Arena will mark the launch of a new scholarship fund dedicated to the memory of former student Joel Richards. Held in the Arena’s conference suite, named in Joel’s honour, the evening will feature reflections on ‘Walking...
Law firm mfg Solicitors unveil new Tax and Succession Planning division
Regional law firm mfg Solicitors has announced the launch of a dedicated division which will support clients in navigating complex tax and succession planning matters. The firm has unveiled its new Tax and Succession Planning division which will be led by Partner and...
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...
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