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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.
What is Fat Activism? University Talk Explores the Movement Behind Body Positivity
A public talk exploring the movement behind messages on body positivity will be taking place at The Hive next week. Robyn Platt, Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Worcester, will be speaking on the topic ‘Fat Activism: The Grassroots Activism Behind Body...
Latest Article
What is Fat Activism? University Talk Explores the Movement Behind Body Positivity
A public talk exploring the movement behind messages on body positivity will be taking place at The Hive next week. Robyn Platt, Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Worcester, will be speaking on the topic ‘Fat Activism: The Grassroots Activism Behind Body...
Member News
A Fresh Take on AI: A Practical Approach to Modern Marketing
AI is the business buzzword of 2026, but how do professionals feel about AI? There’s a growing sense of curiosity around what AI can do for us, but there’s also hesitation around its reliability and what happens when we become too dependent on the intelligence. As...
Free professional resource for tree selection, planting & climate resilience released
WYEVALE Nurseries in Hereford has released a new free to download Tree Technical Guide – a resource designed specifically for the amenity industry and garden centre plantaria staff (February 2026). The publication consolidates expert practical knowledge with...
Patron & Strategic News
Massive new superstore with thousands of bargains on Bescot retail park
A massive new Acorns superstore has opened its doors in Walsall – the charity’s first ever store on a retail park – featuring a huge range of furniture and a dedicated book reading area. Thousands of items have been stacked on the shelves including pre-loved clothes,...
Explore Robots, Rockets and More at The Hive’s STEAMfest
Excitement is building ahead of the return of one of Worcester’s most vibrant celebrations of arts and science. STEAMfest (which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) brings cutting-edge science together with nature, the arts, computing,...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce QES Report Q2 2024
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q2 2024, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The Quarterly Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of economic data collected from a diverse range...
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Winners 2024!
Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, the Awards celebrate firms across the two counties and are a fantastic way to raise awareness of local business success. The Chamber would like to say a huge thank you to each and every business who...
Our Latest Member
A warm welcome to Holistic HR who have joined the chamber
Holistic HR – Independant HR services, focusing on running bullying and banter workshops, as well as other training sessions related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We also support businesses with their HR needs on a retainer basis, or for ad-hoc projects....
A warm welcome to Holistic HR who have joined the chamber
Holistic HR – Independant HR services, focusing on running bullying and banter workshops, as well as other training sessions related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We also support businesses with their HR needs on a retainer basis, or for ad-hoc projects....
Policy News
National Insurance Creating ‘Powder Keg Of Costs’
82% of firms surveyed say the National Insurance (NI) rise will impact their business Most responding businesses say the increase in NI will impact recruitment (58%) and prices (54%) Over three quarters (79%) of businesses do not feel the government has properly...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Release the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q4 2024
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q4 2024, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The Quarterly Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of economic data collected from a diverse range...
Skills News
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...
College group lands £1.2 million funding to transform classrooms and workshops
Classrooms and workshops at a leading Midlands college group will be transformed to deliver new technical qualifications after receiving £1.2 Million of Government funding. WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) has been granted the funding from the £50 million T...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice welcomes government funding boost to improve facilities and services
St Michael’s Hospice is grateful for the news that they will receive in the coming weeks £166,000 of Government funding towards capital programmes, as a result of the lobbying from Hospice UK. The Government has pledged an investment of £100 million into hospices...
KEMP Hospice Joins National Campaign to Change Perceptions of Hospice Care
Wyre Forest’s KEMP Hospice is proud to be one of over 140 hospices taking part in the “This is Hospice Care” campaign, a national initiative facilitated by Hospice UK. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the vital role hospices play in communities, and to shift...
Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed...
BCC News
Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed...
Worcestershire News
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...
Ballards LLP Shortlisted for Three Tolley’s Taxation Awards
Ballards LLP Shortlisted for Three Tolley’s Taxation Awards Worcestershire accountancy firm, Ballards LLP, has been shortlisted for three Tolley’s Taxation Awards 2024. The Tolley’s Taxation Awards recognise excellence within the tax profession, celebrating...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Council Set to Sign Ground Breaking Local Authority Partnership
Herefordshire Council is set to confirm an agreement with other English and Welsh local authorities at its next cabinet meeting, on Thursday 28 September. A proposed Marches Forward Partnership would see Herefordshire Council work with Shropshire Council,...
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...
All Latest News
Celebrating excellence in apprenticeships
We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the first-ever Herefordshire Apprenticeship Awards. Hosted by Herefordshire Growth Hub in partnership with Herefordshire Council and local training organisations, these awards will recognise and celebrate:...
Youngsters’ artwork features in campaign encouraging parents to spot signs and symptoms of childhood cancer
Drawings by children who have undergone cancer treatment are featuring in a charity awareness campaign encouraging parents to recognise the early signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. The artwork by youngsters who have received treatment, along with those from...
Storm Environmental’s Westminster transformation recognised at National Recycling Awards
UK manufacturer of environmental products Storm Environmental is proud to have been recognised at this year’s MRW National Recycling Awards, winning the award for Innovation in Recycling Equipment and Vehicle Design. The award-winning project, ‘Smart Housing and...
University Leader Welcomes Return of European Study Scheme
The University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor has welcomed the UK’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme from 2027, ending a six-year absence. The move will give UK students the chance to study, train, or volunteer across Europe once again. Professor...
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...
Rate Cut Christmas Cheer for Business
Responding to the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s interest rate cut to 3.75%, is a much-needed Christmas gift for businesses across the UK. However, unwrapping growth...
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