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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.
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.
MEGAFEST RETURNS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S CRICKET AHEAD OF T20 WORLD CUP FINAL
Worcestershire Cricket Foundation is preparing to welcome players from across the county as MEGAFEST 2026 returns on Sunday 5 July, bringing together women and girls for a day of cricket, community and celebration. Taking place from 10:00am to 2:00pm, MEGAFEST has...
Latest Article
MEGAFEST RETURNS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S CRICKET AHEAD OF T20 WORLD CUP FINAL
Worcestershire Cricket Foundation is preparing to welcome players from across the county as MEGAFEST 2026 returns on Sunday 5 July, bringing together women and girls for a day of cricket, community and celebration. Taking place from 10:00am to 2:00pm, MEGAFEST has...
Member News
Microsoft APPy Hour Drives Digital Confidence with 638 Registrations
Turns out, if you make Microsoft 365 a bit more fun (and a lot less confusing), people show up. Train IT Midlands has been hosting its lively new APPy Hour webinar series—and the response from the business community has been brilliant. A whopping 638 people signed up...
Landlords warned of final court date for Section 21 eviction notices
Worcestershire landlords are being urged to act quickly if they wish to rely on Section 21 eviction notices served before major reforms to the private rented sector came into force. The Renters’ Rights Act, introduced on 1 May, represents the most significant overhaul...
Patron & Strategic News
Police Risk ‘worse service’ Without AI Adoption, says Police AI Director Ahead of Worcester Conference
Policing will become more expensive and deliver a worse service if it does not embrace responsible AI, says Police AI Director Alex Murray OBE ahead of a conference in Worcester. Alex, currently seconded to the College of Policing as Director of AI, will deliver a...
Have Your Say on Research That Matters at Free University Event
A free event at The Hive library will bring expert talks, interactive workshops and hands-on activities together, including the chance to take part in a mock jury decision-making exercise. The event, on 1 July 10am-3.30pm, is being held by the University of...
Chamber News
Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q1 2026 Report Released
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Report for Q1 2026, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The QES is the UK’s largest independent business survey and provides a key...
“I had no idea what the result was going to be” – Dandelion Video Production’s Adam Hanslow-Smith takes a DISC assessment live on his own podcast
Most personality tests get dismissed as online quizzes with vague results. But when Adam Hanslow-Smith, founder of Dandelion Video Production, sat down with DISC Practitioner Dawn Hardman for the latest episode of the What Do You Do? podcast, he didn’t just...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | February
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout February: Advita Ortho UK Ltd – A medical technology and device company manufacturing and supplying innovative orthopedic implants and AI-enhanced surgical solutions. Elgar Energy Holdings Ltd –...
Welcome New Members | February
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout February: Advita Ortho UK Ltd – A medical technology and device company manufacturing and supplying innovative orthopedic implants and AI-enhanced surgical solutions. Elgar Energy Holdings Ltd –...
Policy News
Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q1 2026 Report Released
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Report for Q1 2026, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The QES is the UK’s largest independent business survey and provides a key...
Recruitment Challenging As New Employment Law Lands
Nearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect,...
Skills News
New Course Explores Impact of Climate Change on Policing
The University of Worcester, West Mercia Police and e-learning company Indegu Ltd have joined forces to develop an awareness course for police staff on how climate change could impact policing in the future. The online programme is designed to educate on climate...
Initial Wave of Innovators Join Business Support Programme with Worcestershire’s First AI Testbed Facilities
A bold new chapter in Worcestershire’s innovation landscape begins as 15 early-stage technology businesses commence BetaDen’s newly opened incubator programme at the Old Court in Kidderminster. BetaDen is Worcestershire’s provider of support programmes for innovative...
Charity News
Colour run returns to Sandwell Valley for 10th Run for Joel
Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the tenth annual Run for Joel; a colourful run through Sandwell Valley Country Park. Runners, walkers, and even dogs are invited to take part in either a 5km or 3km event which begins with runners covering...
Local Children’s Cancer Charity Celebrates 10 Years with Landmark Anniversary Ball
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, based in Upton Snodsbury, Worcestershire, are inviting the local community and businesses to join them in marking a major milestone at their 10th Anniversary Charity Ball. Taking place at Bank House Hotel Spa & Golf Club,...
US Tariffs Set To Continue
Reacting to the announcement of new US tariffs under section 301 of the Trade Act 1974, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It is no surprise that the US is taking action, before its temporary section 122 measures...
BCC News
US Tariffs Set To Continue
Reacting to the announcement of new US tariffs under section 301 of the Trade Act 1974, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It is no surprise that the US is taking action, before its temporary section 122 measures...
Worcestershire News
Worcestershire County Cricket Foundations Street Sixes was raining with joy
On Tuesday the 15th of July, the Worcestershire County Cricket Foundation hosted its annual Street Sixes which took place on Cathedral Square and down the High Street, despite the weather the fun could not be dampened. The event was put in place to raise money for the...
Main Line Rail Companies Pitch in at the Severn Valley Railway
Thanks to an ambitious and unique joint volunteering effort by many companies across the rail sector, the Severn Valley Railway has succeeded in re-laying track across its newly repaired Mor Brook bridge in Shropshire. This was achieved in record time and at zero...
Herefordshire News
Mandatory certification requirements for professional rodenticide purchase came into force January 1, 2026 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
PGM Pest Control is urging UK businesses, farmers, and pest control professionals to review their rodent management following major regulatory changes that came into force on 1 January 2026 under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime. The updated rules mean that...
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:...
All Latest News
Hoople mark 6 months of good deeds
2026 marked Hoople’s 15th birthday. To celebrate this important milestone, the company decided to complete 15 “Good Deeds” throughout the year as a way of giving back to the community that has supported them along the way. At the half-way point, Hoople have been...
Roxel UK Highly Commended in Employer of the Year Category at Chamber Business Awards
Roxel UK is delighted to announce it has been recognised as Highly Commended in the Employer of the Year category at the 2026 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. With hundreds of entries submitted annually, this recognition highlights...
Hiring On Hold
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While unemployment fell slightly to 4.9 per cent, the expectation is that it will rise as businesses remain...
Speller Metcalfe positions for the next era of construction standards
As the construction sector navigates the most significant regulatory change in a generation, Speller Metcalfe has moved early to ensure its systems, governance and information management are built for what comes next. The Building Safety Act has fundamentally changed...
Teacher educator urges public to take part in consultation on new Natural History GCSE
A leading teacher educator at the University of Worcester, is urging the public, teachers and young people to take part in the Government’s consultation on the proposed Natural History GCSE, as the qualification moves a significant step closer to becoming a reality....
Creative Worcester schoolchildren explore themes of safety in local company’s poetry competition
A Worcester company turned to a local school for a lesson in security market research as part of a creative tie in to its 30th anniversary celebrations. The Key Safe Company, which recently won a King’s Award for innovation, invited students from Cherry Orchard...
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