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.
Updating the Modern Staff Handbook: A Forward Thinking Guide for SMEs
In today’s fast-paced business world, a staff handbook should be more than a list of rules; it’s a living guide that communicates how your business operates, sets expectations, and reflects company culture. For SMEs, it’s about making it practical, accessible, and...
Latest Article
Updating the Modern Staff Handbook: A Forward Thinking Guide for SMEs
In today’s fast-paced business world, a staff handbook should be more than a list of rules; it’s a living guide that communicates how your business operates, sets expectations, and reflects company culture. For SMEs, it’s about making it practical, accessible, and...
Member News
Greensafe IT Showcases Innovation at Global ITAD Summit
Worcestershire based IT asset disposition specialist, Greensafe IT, recently attended the prestigious ITAD Summit in Las Vegas. Joining industry leaders from across the globe to discuss the future of secure data destruction, IT recycling and circular economy...
AGRI-TOURISM BOOM
Uncertainty and a creeping level of unease are everywhere in business at the moment. Rapidly changing world events, climate change and technology advances mean that creativity and agility are vital to survival for many businesses. Nowhere is this more true than in the...
Patron & Strategic News
From Worcester to Wembley! Former city student leads AFC Wimbledon’s League One Return.
A former University of Worcester student is preparing for the 2025–26 season as AFC Wimbledon’s Director of Football, having helped guide the club to promotion via the League Two play-offs. Craig Cope, 32, has been the youngest Director of Football in the English...
Meet Herefordshire wine maker & sample wines at Hellens Garden Festival charity fundraiser
VISITORS to Hellens Garden Festival this weekend will be able to meet the team from an artisan Herefordshire wine maker and taste its award-winning products while also fundraising for charity (June 2025). Foxbury Fields Vineyard is at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle on...
Chamber News
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Areterra – Areterra’s aim is to support a growing number of people from the semi-rural area of Worcestershire, suffering from a variety of differing medical conditions including those with learning...
Autumn Statement Provides Much Needed Support for Business Growth.
The Chancellor has published the Autumn Statement, and he has certainly listened to the calls for a focus on business investment and growth. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) had 3 main asks of the Chancellor: Reform the planning system, upgrade the energy grid...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! A Plan Insurance – A-Plan provide “car, home, van” and a range of other insurance services. They are passionate about client service, and believe that the best way to support you and deliver real...
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! A Plan Insurance – A-Plan provide “car, home, van” and a range of other insurance services. They are passionate about client service, and believe that the best way to support you and deliver real...
Policy News
Labour market struggles continue, according to the Office for National Statistics
The UK continues to struggle with labour shortages despite the estimated number of vacancies falling on the quarter, data released today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown. April’s labour market overview revealed that between January and March...
The Chamber Business Manifesto 2023/24 is here!
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have released their Business Manifesto 2023/24. The publication outlines our plans for the next financial year detailing the priorities for local and national government, as identified by local businesses during...
Skills News
Government ask employers for feedback on their National Skills Fund strategy
The government have launched a consultation into the offers funded through their National Skills Fund. The aim of the fund is to help adults train and gain the valuable skills they need to improve their job prospects and support the economy. One of the initiatives...
Recruitment difficulties increase as demand for labour surges
As the economy recovers from the pandemic, demand for labour has risen significantly. In the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2, in partnership with Bishop Fleming, we found that 51% of local businesses attempted to recruit, up from 38% in Q1. Recent figures...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice Welcomes New Chief Executive
St Michael’s Hospice is delighted to welcome Matt Fellows as its new Chief Executive. He is replacing Mike Keel who has retired having spent eight years at the helm of the Bartestree-based charity. Matt joins at a time of celebration for St Michael’s which is marking...
Local Firms Unite to Support Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Ballards LLP, an accountancy firm, and Four Squared Recruitment, its sister company, both based in Worcestershire, have chosen the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust as their Charity of the Year. The Trust funds research into rare and aggressive childhood cancers,...
Business Welcomes Export Support Package Amid Global Uncertainty
Responding to the announcements from the Chancellor and Business and Trade Secretary to support UK exporters, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “The BCC called last week for enhanced credit and financial support through...
BCC News
Business Welcomes Export Support Package Amid Global Uncertainty
Responding to the announcements from the Chancellor and Business and Trade Secretary to support UK exporters, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “The BCC called last week for enhanced credit and financial support through...
Worcestershire News
New One Day Music Sustainability Festival Created by Bewdley Festival
Join us at the One Earth Festival celebrating local and sustainability for a day of music, performances, and activities on July 13th, 2024! Get ready for live music across three stages featuring incredible bands including Arcadia Roots, Sam Draisey, Chloe Mogg , Fair...
New Future of Farming Line-up Announced
Royal Three Counties Show, 14th-16th June 2024 Water quality, soil health, biodiversity, succession planning, the latest developments in agri-tech and the positive role cattle can play in improving the environment are some of the big conversations due to take place...
Herefordshire News
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Business Enterprise Fund for Herefordshire Businesses is now open
The UKSPF Business Enterprise Fund is a capital grant scheme funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Its aim is to enable Herefordshire businesses to increase their productivity and become more resilient through the adoption of new (to the business) technologies and...
Vamos Theatre Tours Sharing Joy, a colourful, interactive performance, to local care homes.
Worcester-based Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is to take its popular show, Sharing Joy, out on the road this June to visit care homes and other venues in Worcestershire. Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance...
All Latest News
Wyevale Nurseries to unveil 2026 retailers’ catalogue at HTA National Plant Show
WYEVALE Nurseries’ 2026 promotional catalogue aimed at retailers is launching at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) National Plant Show this week featuring an abundance of new British-grown varieties (June 2025). The leading commercial grower is showcasing...
‘Flying Scotsman’ to reunite the Severn Valley Railway line
The world’s most famous steam locomotive 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ will haul the first passenger train along the full length of the 16-mile Severn Valley Railway line, when the northernmost section is reunited with the rest of the line on Friday 25 July. Work is now...
The Worcestershire Community Foundation is looking for two new trustees
The Worcestershire Community Foundation is looking for two new trustees to join the Board. We are one of the leading grant makers in Worcestershire; we act as a conduit to local philanthropy, linking private and public funders with community projects across the...
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...
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...
US Tariff Relief For Automotives And Jet Engines
Reacting to news that the US President has signed an Executive Order on the trade deal with the UK, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “News that the trade deal with the US has been agreed on automotives and jet engines will be music to the ears of affected...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here