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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.
Comedian, broadcaster, and television presenter, Matt Richardson, confirmed as Host of the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
Multi-award-winning stand-up comedian, broadcaster, and television presenter, Matt Richardson has been confirmed as the host of this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards (WA Awards). Taking place on Thursday 26 November 2026 at West Midlands Safari Park, the...
Latest Article
Comedian, broadcaster, and television presenter, Matt Richardson, confirmed as Host of the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
Multi-award-winning stand-up comedian, broadcaster, and television presenter, Matt Richardson has been confirmed as the host of this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards (WA Awards). Taking place on Thursday 26 November 2026 at West Midlands Safari Park, the...
Member News
Trio of promotions announced as Kidderminster law firm mfg Solicitors
Kidderminster law firm mfg Solicitors has announced the promotions of three solicitors at its Birmingham Road office, recognising their expertise, dedication, and contribution to the firm’s continued success. Head of Commercial Litigation, Rebecca Rogers, has...
Operations Partner reveals why busy founders often aren’t moving forward – and what to do about it
Hannah Prosser of The Operations Project features in the latest episode of Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? podcast, shining a light on one of the most overlooked roles in business growth. As an Operations Partner, Hannah works with founders who feel...
Patron & Strategic News
Aspiring Lawyer Selected to Represent England on World Karate Stage
An aspiring lawyer balancing legal training with an intensive karate schedule will represent England at the Karate World Championships this year. University of Worcester Law student Paulina (Lina) Makazlieva will compete with the best competitors from around the world...
Upwards-Only Rent Reviews are going — But will the Government actually achieve what it set out to do?
A perspective on the implications for the Worcestershire commercial property market. The ban on upwards-only rent reviews (UORR) has been billed as a landmark moment for commercial tenants, and in some respects, it is, but here in Worcestershire, where the...
Chamber News
New Construction & Trade Forum Series Launched to Support Industry Collaboration
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of its new Construction & Trade Forum series, designed to bring together professionals from across the sector to share knowledge, discuss key challenges, and explore...
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...
Our Latest Member
Local Expertise Meets New Connections: West Mercia Air Conditioning Joins the Chamber
West Mercia Air Conditioning is proud to be a member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Having joined the Chamber in recent weeks, we are already enjoying being part of a thriving local business network. While we are relatively new to the...
Local Expertise Meets New Connections: West Mercia Air Conditioning Joins the Chamber
West Mercia Air Conditioning is proud to be a member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Having joined the Chamber in recent weeks, we are already enjoying being part of a thriving local business network. While we are relatively new to the...
Policy News
Reading the Seismograph: What the BCC’s QES Dashboard can tell us about the looming economic shock
The latest results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2026 present a familiar picture1. Business confidence remains subdued. Investment intentions are weak. Cost pressures, though no longer accelerating, remain elevated. Firms...
Iran Conflict Deepens Inflation Concerns
Responding to the latest inflation data, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s 3.3% inflation figure for March is an early signal that the Iran conflict is...
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
KEMP Hospice Calls on Community to Help Light Up New Moonlight Walk
KEMP Hospice is asking local businesses, community groups and residents to help bring its brand-new Moonlight Walk to life by donating battery-powered lights and decorations. Taking place on Friday 31st July 2026, the Moonlight Walk will be a magical evening walk...
SME Solicitors chooses Sensory Matters Worcestershire as its charity for 2026
SME Solicitors has chosen Sensory Matters Worcestershire (formerly Sight Concern) as its chosen charity for 2026. Launched in October 2023, Sensory Matters Worcestershire provides information, advice and specialist support to people across Worcestershire living with...
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
BCC News
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
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
Community generosity at Christmas helps Herefordshire families
As families across Herefordshire face increasing pressure, a series of quiet but meaningful acts of generosity by business and individuals are helping to support those most in need through local charity Vennture. With demand for emergency accommodation and family...
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...
All Latest News
Could Regular Hot Baths be the Key to Coping Better in Heatwaves? Worcester Study Needs You
Researchers at the University of Worcester are looking for participants for a study investigating whether regular hot baths could help people cope better with heatwaves. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense in the UK, practical and accessible ways to cope...
Children’s Nursing Demonstration a Hit at The Hive
Children’s Nursing staff and students from the University of Worcester have been meeting the public and hearing stories of inspirational nurses at The Hive in celebration of National Children’s Nurses Day. The day, organised by the Association of British Paediatric...
Free return visit offer makes summer even better at the SVR
Families can enjoy twice the fun for the price of one this summer, as the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) launches a special Free Return Visit offer alongside a packed programme of heritage train travel and family entertainment. Visitors booking Freedom of the Line...
BROMSGROVE SPEAKING COACH RECEIVES HIGHLY COMMENDED AT NATIONAL SPEAKER AWARDS
Bromsgrove-based speaker coach and two-time TEDx speaker Dave James has received a Highly Commended award in the TEDx Speaker of the Year category at the Speaker Awards 2026. The Speaker Awards, now in its fifth year, recognises the most inspiring and innovative...
Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Bromsgrove office
Law firm mfg Solicitors has announced two promotions at its Bromsgrove office. Deborah Perry has been promoted to Senior Associate within the firm’s Private Client division, while Claire Liddy has been promoted to Associate within the Property Litigation division. The...
Leading Anti-Poverty Author to Speak at Worcester’s Hive Library
One of the nation’s leading experts on poverty and its causes is to give a talk at Worcester’s Hive Library, after praising the landmark building in her latest book. In Impoverished: How to Fix Britain’s Poverty Problem, renowned author and film-maker Joanna Mack...
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