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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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Branch Line Weekend brings the Severn Valley Railway’s past to life
The Severn Valley Railway will be stepping back into classic branch line days on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March with its Branch Line Weekend, a special event marking 35 years since the arrival of the railway’s first diesel multiple unit (DMU). Across the...
Latest Article
Branch Line Weekend brings the Severn Valley Railway’s past to life
The Severn Valley Railway will be stepping back into classic branch line days on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March with its Branch Line Weekend, a special event marking 35 years since the arrival of the railway’s first diesel multiple unit (DMU). Across the...
Member News
Why flexible outsourcing can make more sense
In 2026, major changes to UK employment law will reshape how businesses hire, manage staff and plan for the future. The new Employment Rights Bill and related reforms will introduce day-one rights for some employees, strengthen protections and increase potential...
Business School’s Recognition for its Support of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
The University of Worcester’s Business School’s work to support local businesses has helped it to secure re-accreditation of its Small Business Charter. The national accreditation is awarded to business schools which demonstrate excellence and impact in supporting...
Patron & Strategic News
Early Childhood Degree at Worcester Earns Top National Recognition
The University of Worcester’s Early Childhood BA course has been awarded the prestigious Early Childhood Graduate Practitioners Competencies Quality Mark. The national recognition is awarded by the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN), and confirms the...
REHAU Decarbonises District Heating Deliveries by Fuelling Lorries with HVO
REHAU has improved the end-to-end sustainability of its district heating business by considering the impact of product delivery, switching to powering 85% of its lorries with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in partnership with CEVA Logistics. Recent UK government...
Chamber News
Autumn Budget 2025: Chamber Response
Commenting on the Budget Statement, Robert Elliot, Director of Business Development & Policy, said: “For months we have been concerned that this Budget might repeat the chaos businesses faced in October 2024. While this statement is more stable, several measures...
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...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Policy News
County Council launches new Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy
Worcestershire County Council has published its new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy, setting out plans to expand access to charging facilities across the county. The strategy follows a countywide engagement exercise where residents and...
Relief On Tax But No Blueprint For Growth
Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The Chancellor has listened to our calls and made the right choice by not piling major new tax rises on businesses’ shoulders, which will...
Skills News
Make Strides – A Digital-First Learning and Development Company
Make Strides is a digital-first learning and development company, helping people and organisations grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence. We specialise in early careers and leadership development, offering bite-size, engaging and accredited digital programmes...
Apprenticeship Plans are ‘Mixed Bag’ for Business
Responding to the Government’s plans for apprenticeship reform in England, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Apprenticeships are high-quality, valued qualifications and businesses welcome the funding boost announced by...
Charity News
Supporting Care Leavers and Families: Join Our December Zoom Sessions
We have 2 Peer Support Zoom Sessions for Care Leavers and their families of all ages in Dec! This Wed 10th – New Horizons – 1.30-3pm – See enclosed leaflet for more info. Monday 15th – Information on Accessing Records – 10 am -12 midday...
Growing Hope This Christmas: How Local Businesses Can Support WMRSASC’s Purple Leaf Project
This December, WMRSASC is inviting local businesses to support the Purple Leaf Project – Tree of Hope at Worcester Cathedral. Each hand-painted purple leaf represents solidarity, strength, and a message of hope for survivors of sexual violence — and every donation...
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
BCC News
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Worcestershire News
Weekend rolls into the Severn Valley Railway for a must-see LEGO event
LEGO fans are in for a treat as Brick Weekend arrives at the Severn Valley Railway’s Engine House Visitor Centre for two fun-filled days on Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 August. Hosted in partnership with the LEGO UK Railway (LUKR) club, this special event will showcase...
Severn Valley Railway wins UK Enterprise award
The Severn Valley Railway has been named as Leading Railway Enthusiast Site in the 2025 SME UK Enterprise Awards. Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll said: ‘SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are...
Herefordshire News
McPhillips wins £10m bus station redevelopment contract
West Midlands-based construction company McPhillips has won a £10 million local authority contract to deliver a new and improved bus station. Herefordshire Council announced McPhillips as its official construction partner on the Hereford Transport Hub project, part of...
Hereford Military History Festival
The Hereford Military History Festival has announced the next 10 events for its debut festival, which will take place from Friday 26th – Sunday 28th September 2025. Featuring internationally renowned writers and thinkers, including Philippe Sands, Clare...
All Latest News
REHAU Decarbonises District Heating Deliveries by Fuelling Lorries with HVO
REHAU has improved the end-to-end sustainability of its district heating business by considering the impact of product delivery, switching to powering 85% of its lorries with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in partnership with CEVA Logistics. Recent UK government...
NMITE AND THE BRITISH ARMY UNVEIL DETAIL OF THE NEW UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS
Event attended by Al Carns MP, Minister for the Armed Forces 21 January 2026 – Following on from the December announcement of its new Autonomous Robotics degree, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) hosted an event today in conjunction...
Ballards strengthens private client capability with senior tax partner hire
(from left to right): Tim Lynch, Private Client Tax Partner, Martin Adams, Head of tax. Ballards LLP has appointed Tim Lynch as Private Client Tax Partner, strengthening its senior advisory capability as part of the firm’s long term growth strategy across...
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Few Signs For Optimism In Labour Market
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS published this morning, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The latest data indicate businesses are still not feeling confident about taking on more staff or...
Inflation Waters Remain Choppy
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the Office for National Statistics, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data is a stark reminder that the UK inflation waters remain choppy. “With CPI rising to 3.4%...
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