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.
Hundreds invited to remember loved ones at KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release
People across Wyre Forest are being invited to celebrate the lives of loved ones they have lost at one of KEMP Hospice’s most moving events. The KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release returns to Bodenham Arboretum on Saturday 12 September 2026, offering families and...
Latest Article
Hundreds invited to remember loved ones at KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release
People across Wyre Forest are being invited to celebrate the lives of loved ones they have lost at one of KEMP Hospice’s most moving events. The KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release returns to Bodenham Arboretum on Saturday 12 September 2026, offering families and...
Member News
Accessible support for confident learning and successful transitions
As learners prepare for a new academic year, accessible, person-centred support can make a meaningful difference to confidence, focus and participation. This free Study Day at The Shell Store brings together the specialist expertise of Herefordshire &...
SPELLER METCALFE REPORTS STRONGEST FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN COMPANY HISTORY
Speller Metcalfe has announced the strongest financial performance in its history, reporting a 48% increase in profit before tax (PBT) to £5.0m for the year ending 31 March 2026. The Midlands and South West building contractor achieved turnover of £158.9m while...
Patron & Strategic News
Hidden LGBTQ Stories to be Uncovered at The Hive This Pride Month
LGBTQ stories and hidden histories will be celebrated at The Hive in Worcester at a free event exploring queer literary history from Worcestershire to Paris. The Salon: Pride at The Hive, which takes place on 24 June, 6.15-7.30pm, will bring to life the stories of...
Is your website losing mobile enquiries?
Pick up your phone and look at your own website. Not the desktop version you checked when it launched, the version most of your customers actually see. More than half of all web traffic in the UK now happens on mobile. If your site was built for a desktop screen and...
Chamber News
Strengthening Worcestershire Fund Needs Extra Support for Match Funding Programme!
Launched in June by Worcestershire Community Foundation in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, a new funding programme to support local communities struggling in the current economic climate has raised £150,000 but is still aiming for more. The...
The Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 is now Live.
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey is live! By participating in this survey, your business will have a direct impact on government policy. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce represents member views...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: A&S Financial Services – A&S Financial Services are a Redditch based Mortgage Brokers who deal with a comprehensive panel of mortgage lenders and insurance products based on an analysis of a number of insurers....
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: A&S Financial Services – A&S Financial Services are a Redditch based Mortgage Brokers who deal with a comprehensive panel of mortgage lenders and insurance products based on an analysis of a number of insurers....
Policy News
Extent Of US Tariff Impact Revealed
62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will be negatively impacted by US tariffs, compared to 41% with no exposure 32% of firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will increase prices in response to the tariff 44% of firms with exposure to the...
Toxic Mix As Businesses Prepare for Tax Rise
QES_infosheet_Q1_2025 59% of businesses say tax, including national insurance, is now a concern, the second highest level on record following a peak in the previous quarter Business confidence remains subdued, with less than half of firms (48%) expecting turnover to...
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
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
National Supported Lodgings Week: Could You Open Your Door to Change a Young Life?
This November (9th–16th) marks National Supported Lodgings Week, celebrating the incredible role ordinary people play in providing safe and supportive homes for young people who might otherwise face homelessness. Through St Basils Supported Lodgings scheme,...
Economy Flatlines as Firms Struggle to Invest
Reacting to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data shows the UK economy remains stuck in a worrying low growth trap. “A three-month...
BCC News
Economy Flatlines as Firms Struggle to Invest
Reacting to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data shows the UK economy remains stuck in a worrying low growth trap. “A three-month...
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
Marches Careers Hub Celebrates Year of Success
The Marches Careers Hub has enjoyed a year of success – with sustained improvements across the last 12 months, new figures show. The hub – which is delivered by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership for the Careers and Enterprise Company in partnership with...
Herefordshire to ‘charge ahead’ Thanks to Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding
Thirteen Midlands Councils have led a successful bid for £39.3mil to get more chargers onto our streets – including Herefordshire, which will receive £1.124m. The Midlands has come together to create two partnerships across the region to successfully submit a bid for...
All Latest News
Gulf Trade Deal ‘A Moment To Celebrate’
Responding to the news that a free trade agreement has been made with the six Arab states which comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council, William Bain, Head of Trade Policyat the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This deal is great news for the UK economy; it...
UK Steel Strategy
From 1st July, the government will be reducing the amount of steel that can be imported without tariffs, meaning that there will be 50% import tariffs on companies that exceed the 60% quota set by the government. There is some uncertainty over the reasoning behind...
DIGITAL CARNETS
From 1 June 2026, ATA Carnets will begin transitioning from paper to a digital format across the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland. This marks the start of a global shift, with both paper and digital Carnets running side by side until 31 December 2027, allowing customs...
More Help Needed on Business Costs
Responding to measures announced by the Chancellor this lunchtime, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “It’s important to remember that the cost of living and the cost of business are two sides of the same coin. “While most of...
Firms Warn of Rising Costs from Iran Crisis
New research shows 80% of surveyed firms report an existing or expected impact from the Iran conflict, including energy price increases, shipping disruption and rises in raw material costs The manufacturing sector is seeing the biggest impact, with 68% of firms...
Wyevale Nurseries supports landmark tree planting project at Cotswolds Distillery
WYEVALE Nurseries has supported a major tree planting and landscape enhancement initiative at Cotswolds Distillery in collaboration with Gloucestershire County Council’s Greener Gloucestershire Trees Team and landscape architects Rachael White Designs (May 2026). The...
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