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.
Worcester City FC Expands Community Outreach with Free After School Football Sessions
Worcester City FC is continuing its commitment to supporting young people across the city through its growing Community Outreach Programme, proudly supported by CARS Service Centre. The initiative focuses on increasing access to physical activity and football for...
Latest Article
Worcester City FC Expands Community Outreach with Free After School Football Sessions
Worcester City FC is continuing its commitment to supporting young people across the city through its growing Community Outreach Programme, proudly supported by CARS Service Centre. The initiative focuses on increasing access to physical activity and football for...
Member News
Business relief after Government U-turns on day-one unfair dismissal rights
Employment lawyers have reacted positively to the Government’s U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal rights – but urged businesses to seek expert guidance to prepare for wide-ranging workplace reforms. Labour had made a controversial manifesto commitment to offer all...
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Patron & Strategic News
REHAU Celebrates Two Major Award Wins at 2025 National Fenestration Awards
REHAU UK is proud to announce that it has won two major awards at the prestigious National Fenestration Awards (NFAs) this year, recognising its continuing innovation, product quality and outstanding service that it delivers to customers year after year. The 2025...
Upskilling Through Apprenticeships at SME Solicitors
Over the last year, SME Solicitors has been upskilling team members through apprenticeship and skills bootcamp courses. Jack Stirzaker, who is undertaking a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing with The Development Manager, discusses his experience. I...
Chamber News
Make Your Voice Heard: Voting Opens for the Herefordshire Area Council
We’re recruiting three new Herefordshire Area Council members and now we need your vote. These newly elected members will join senior leaders from a wide range of business sectors across the county, providing crucial sector-specific insights and contributing to...
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES 4) Is Now Live – Have Your Say!
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is calling on local businesses to share their insights in the latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES 4). This vital survey helps the Chamber build a clear picture of the current business climate across the two...
Our Latest Member
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Policy 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...
Bradey Thomas MP Q&A: Chamber Hosts Engaging Session on Local Priorities
Last week, the Chamber of Commerce hosted a highly successful session with Bradley Thomas MP for Bromsgrove and The Villages at the Heart of Worcestershire College in Bromsgrove. The event brought together business leaders, education representatives, and community...
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
Megan Baker House Invites You to an Inspiring Open Day in Bromsgrove!
Megan Baker House (MBH) is inviting the local community to an exciting Open Day on Wednesday, 19th November at Newsong Community Church, B61 8LW, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. The event is a fantastic opportunity to discover how MBH’s Conductive Education sessions are...
Free CPR and defibrillator training for Malvern Businesses
Free CPR and defibrillator training is being offered to businesses in Malvern and the surrounding area. The training being offered by Heartstart Malvern, only takes 90 minutes and is very practical. During this time, participants are taught some very simple skills...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
First stop: Severn Valley Railway, for the Railway 200 exhibition train
Railway 200’s travelling exhibition train arrived in style at the Severn Valley Railway today [Friday 27 June] for the very first leg of its UK-wide tour. The specially commissioned Inspiration train arrived at Kidderminster Town station, sporting its one-off livery,...
Shape Worcestershire: Help Shape the Future of Local Councils
A major consultation is underway to decide how Worcestershire’s local government could be reshaped. Shape Worcestershire invites all residents to share their views on how council services should be delivered in the future. What’s Changing? Currently, Worcestershire...
Herefordshire News
Winners of the Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024 have been Announced
Industry experts selected the county’s winning tourism businesses in our very first Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards. We’re delighted to congratulate our winners and are super excited that they will be put forward to the VisitEngland Awards of Excellence...
Hereford River Carnival – how to get involved
• Hereford River Carnival is holding an open meeting to encourage people to get involved in the 2025 event. The drop-in open meeting will be held upstairs at De Koffie Pot between 1pm-5pm on Saturday 8th February. This will be a chance to meet the team, find out more...
All Latest News
Join Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Patron Rewards initiative!
Employers have an opportunity to shape the future workforce, and now, will be able to gain access to the college’s new Employer Patron Rewards Scheme. This initiative is designed to reward and grow collaboration between local employers and the college, ensuring...
Customs Reform Needed As Import Rules Change
Responding to news of the Government’s plan to widen customs charges to low value goods entering the UK, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This has been on the cards for a while as the US has already made this change and the EU will do so at the start of...
Shifting World Order Makes Supply Chain Security ‘Critical’
Responding to the launch of a Critical Minerals Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “If the UK is to keep its place at the table of the world’s biggest and most developed economies then it must diversify and improve its supply chain security. “Advanced...
Pharma Deal A Welcome Boost For UK
Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now...
Santa Steam Specials are ‘huge success’ at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway welcomed hundreds of passengers to Kidderminster last weekend [29 and 30 November] to board the brand-new Santa Steam Specials. After spending time in the winter wonderland of the station concourse, families were whisked away on board a...
Triple heritage awards shortlisting for the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating after being shortlisted in three categories of the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2026, the biggest and most respected accolades in the heritage rail sector. The SVR has been named as a finalist for: • The Rolling...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here