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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.
Dedicate a shooting star this Christmas to someone you’ll never forget
A unique, handcrafted ‘shooting star’ tribute to remember someone loved and missed is at the heart of an emotional campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice this December – to ensure their memory still shines bright. Celebrate Your Star invites people to honour lost...
Latest Article
Dedicate a shooting star this Christmas to someone you’ll never forget
A unique, handcrafted ‘shooting star’ tribute to remember someone loved and missed is at the heart of an emotional campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice this December – to ensure their memory still shines bright. Celebrate Your Star invites people to honour lost...
Member News
Business Breakfast – Christmas Celebrations & Wellbeing at Work
We’re inviting local businesses to join us for a relaxed, free Business Breakfast at the beautiful Spetchley Park Gardens on Thursday 13th November, 9.30-11.30 am. It’s a great chance to: Connect with other local business owners and professionals ☕ Enjoy coffee,...
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...
Patron & Strategic News
NMITE Partners with Octopus Energy to Launch a New Bursary for Aspiring Women Engineers
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) today announces a new bursary, in partnership with Octopus Energy, to open pathways for aspiring women engineers. The Octopus Energy Bursary provides a total cash award of £5,000 to four women joining as a...
Worcester Shortlisted for University of the Year for the Fourth Time
The University of Worcester has been named as a finalist in this year’s University of the Year award, by Times Higher Education. Widely viewed as the top accolade a UK university can achieve, the award honours an institution that has demonstrated exceptional...
Chamber News
New Member Benefit: Chamber Advice Blogs!
We are excited to announce a new addition to our Member Benefits portfolio: Chamber Advice Blogs -launching January 2024. This innovative Member benefit aims to provide our members with crucial information and a dedicated platform to share their expertise, insights,...
Age UK Guildhall Christmas Bash
Guildhall Christmas Bash with Isy & Louis Join Isy, an exceptionally talented musician from New College Worcester, and the Mayor of Worcester, for a Christmas Bash! What to expect: The bash will feature multiple festive performances from Isy, as well as guided...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Grange Court
Grange Court is a Grade II* listed timber-framed market hall built by John Abel in 1633. It is just off the centre of the ancient town of Leominster in parkland which was once part of the Leominster Priory farm. Following extensive renovation ten years ago, it is now...
Introducing Grange Court
Grange Court is a Grade II* listed timber-framed market hall built by John Abel in 1633. It is just off the centre of the ancient town of Leominster in parkland which was once part of the Leominster Priory farm. Following extensive renovation ten years ago, it is now...
Policy News
Inflation increase places further pressure on businesses
UK inflation accelerated unexpectedly in February, adding to expectations that the Bank of England will raise interest rates again at its meeting on Thursday. The annual rate of consumer price inflation rose to 10.4 per cent in February, the Office for National...
Spring Budget 2023
Spring Budget 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his Spring Budget to Parliament yesterday (15 March). In the 2023 Budget, the Chancellor made it a priority to tackle inflation, attributing it to ongoing economic challenges. The highlight of the budget for...
Skills News
BCC & Barclays LifeSkills release report revealing businesses’ thoughts on futureproofing for a post-pandemic world
The British Chambers of Commerce and Barclays LifeSkills have today (Friday 23 April) released a new report entitled ‘The Next Normal: Futureproofing the Workforce for a Post-Pandemic World’. The report seeks to tackle questions around the workforce challenges faced...
BCC reacts to latest UK labour market figures
Yesterday (Tuesday 20 April) the Office for National Statistics released their latest labour market statistics. The figures suggest that the jobs market has been broadly stable in recent months. The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9%, 0.1 percentage points...
Charity News
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,...
Mike Keel to retire as St Michael’s Hospice Chief Executive
The Chief Executive of St Michael’s Hospice has announced his retirement after eight years at the helm. Mike Keel will leave his role at the Bartestree-based Hospice at the end of this month. During his tenure, Mr Keel has overseen the charity’s extended reach to the...
US Trade Deal Provides Welcome Relief
Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. “The reduction in the 25% tariffs on most of our automotive exports and the...
BCC News
US Trade Deal Provides Welcome Relief
Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. “The reduction in the 25% tariffs on most of our automotive exports and the...
Worcestershire News
New Recruits at Ballards LLP Fuel Firm’s Continued Expansion
Ballards LLP, a leading accounting and professional services firm in the UK, has added several new joiners across its Audit, Corporate Finance, and Business Services departments recently, supporting the firm’s ongoing expansion into new markets....
National Apprenticeship Week Success Culminates with Launch of 2024 Apprenticeships Awards
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are excited to announce the 2024 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Apprenticeship Week, which again proved to be another...
Herefordshire News
Grant applications now open for festivals and events from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Grants of up to £15,000 are now available to support the development or growth of festivals and events via UK Shared Prosperity Funding. Herefordshire Council have been allocated £7.3m to help improve pride in place and increase life chances, investing in communities...
Ultrafilter celebrates £2 million investment to support pharma future
Herefordshire’s leading manufacturing company Ultrafilter Medical officially opened its new, specialist facility to support the diversification of its Ross-on-Wye site on Thursday 20 April. The company has invested £2 million in a new cleanroom and specialist...
All Latest News
73082 ‘Camelot’ confirmed for SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed that BR Standard Class 5 73082 ‘Camelot’ will join the line-up for its Autumn Steam Gala between 18 and 21 September It’s the first time this locomotive has ever visited the railway, and organisers says it will work alongside...
DJH welcomes historic Midlands practice Nicklin to Group
DJH is excited to announce the addition of a historic accountancy practice to its rapidly expanding group, as it takes another step towards becoming one of the top 20 UK firms in this sector. The group, which now employs more than 600 people across thirteen offices in...
University Expert’s Talk Explores History of Witchcraft
Two rare Elizabethan texts will be on show during a talk on witchcraft by a University of Worcester historian, as part of Worcester Cathedral’s MedievalFest next week. Professor of Early Modern History, Darren Oldridge, will speak on ‘Witchcraft and Religion in...
Worcestershire businesses urged to ‘power up’ productivity and plug skills gaps with Skills Bootcamps
Businesses across Worcestershire are being urged to take advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training programmes designed to upskill staff, fill skills gaps, and support long-term growth. Funded by the Department for Education and managed locally by...
Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
Local Charity Expands with the Opening of “Ledbury Two” – A New Chapter in Support for Children and Adults with Neurological Disorders
Located in the heart of Ledbury, Ledbury Two represents a significant expansion for Megan Baker House (MBH), allowing the organisation to reach more families and meet increasing demand for its specialised programmes. The new facility will offer tailored support for...
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