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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.
Wickens Showcases Engineering Expertise with New Video Highlighting Storage Solutions in Action
Wickens Engineering has launched a new video offering a behind-the-scenes look at its specialist storage solutions, giving customers and industry professionals a clear view of the quality, scale and precision that underpin its work. The video, now available on the...
Latest Article
Wickens Showcases Engineering Expertise with New Video Highlighting Storage Solutions in Action
Wickens Engineering has launched a new video offering a behind-the-scenes look at its specialist storage solutions, giving customers and industry professionals a clear view of the quality, scale and precision that underpin its work. The video, now available on the...
Member News
“This has to stop” – Resilience coach Dr Lizzy Bernthal on toxic workplaces
Dr Lizzy Bernthal has led teams in extreme conditions across 18 countries, including Afghanistan, survived a landslide in Nepal, and extreme conditions on Mount Snowdon, but it was a much smaller moment that made her decide on her mission to end workplace toxicity....
Award wins for ONE’s innovative digital twin approach
ONE Creative environments (ONE), a multi-disciplinary design company that prioritises innovation, has celebrated two national award wins last month (March 2026). ONE, which has a Worcester HQ and offices in Birmingham, London and Cardiff received the awards for their...
Patron & Strategic News
Sustainability Book Series Idea Earns Worcester Students a Big Cash Boost
Two University of Worcester students have scooped a £5,000 cash investment in their business in a Dragon’s Den style event. 3rd year Business Management students Evan Greenlees and Kasra Salehi pitched their idea for the company, Little Guardians, at this year’s BOSS...
Worcester Students Shine in National Live Poetry Contest
University of Worcester students showcased their live poetry talents in a national contest, securing an impressive second place finish. The UniSlam 2026 event saw the best university spoken-word poet teams go head-to-head, performing their own works in a bid to take...
Chamber News
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) 1 is Now Open – Have Your Say
The first Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) of the year is now open, and the Chamber is encouraging businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to take part. Running from 9 January to 2 March, QES 1 provides businesses with the opportunity to share their...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce becomes a Certified B Corporation
The Chamber joins the growing movement of companies using business as a force for good. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has today announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing movement of companies that are...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | November
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout November Lucy Labels – A sticker and labelling business offering custom labels. Barclays Greater Birmingham and The Three Counties Corporate – Barclays’ regional corporate banking services for businesses....
Welcome New Members | November
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout November Lucy Labels – A sticker and labelling business offering custom labels. Barclays Greater Birmingham and The Three Counties Corporate – Barclays’ regional corporate banking services for businesses....
Policy News
Growth Elusive As Labour Market Loosens
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are strong signs that the labour market is continuing to loosen as wage...
Inflation Eases But Business Costs Still Biting
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “A further easing of inflation, to 3% in January, will be cautiously welcomed by businesses. Firms will be hoping it...
Skills News
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...
NMITE hosts events to boost local employment skills
NMITE hosts two events in June on employment skills for the modern workforce and pathways into business NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) is hosting two events in June, both highlighting employment and training pathways into business and...
Charity News
Doors Open at Brand-New Ludlow Charity Warehouse
Shoppers were welcomed through the doors at St Michael’s Hospice’s new charity shop, Ludlow Home & Living. The ribbon was cut by shop manager, Giles Kember, and Ludlow’s Mayor, Councillor Di Lyle, before customers were invited inside to explore the transformed...
KEMP Hospice rated ‘Good’ in all areas following CQC inspection
KEMP Hospice is proud to announce it has received a ‘Good’ rating in all areas following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The report, published on 16 February 2026, highlighted overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients following a...
Half of SMEs Using AI -With Limited Headcount Impact So Far
More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI in 2025, up...
BCC News
Half of SMEs Using AI -With Limited Headcount Impact So Far
More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI in 2025, up...
Worcestershire News
Weekend rolls into the Severn Valley Railway for a must-see LEGO event
LEGO fans are in for a treat as Brick Weekend arrives at the Severn Valley Railway’s Engine House Visitor Centre for two fun-filled days on Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 August. Hosted in partnership with the LEGO UK Railway (LUKR) club, this special event will showcase...
Severn Valley Railway wins UK Enterprise award
The Severn Valley Railway has been named as Leading Railway Enthusiast Site in the 2025 SME UK Enterprise Awards. Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll said: ‘SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are...
Herefordshire News
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
Hereford Military History Festival Honours Herefordshire History with Network of Local Partners and Community Support
HEREFORD, 19th August 2025 — The inaugural Hereford Military History Festival 2025 is a highly ambitious new addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, which aims to support the city’s local community, celebrate its culture and heritage, and honour its rich military...
All Latest News
Welcome New Members | March 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout March: Mobile Care & Domestic Services Ltd — Provides in-home care and domestic support services to help individuals maintain independence and wellbeing in their own homes. Marlow’s Cleaning...
Introducing Our International Trade “Set Menu” Training Offer
Businesses looking to strengthen their international trade knowledge can now benefit from a newly launched, flexible training offer designed to meet a wide range of learning needs. The International Trade Set Menu Training Offer introduces an innovative approach to...
BCC President Speech to Driving International Trade Conference
Speech made by BCC President Andy Haldane at the BCC’s Driving International Trade Conference – Thursday 26 March The Case for Trade, Remade As new President of the BCC, I am pleased to be offering some opening remarks at today’s conference. Events in the Middle East...
Reflections on the WTO talks
The timing of the British Chambers of Commerce Why Trade Matters report and the Driving International Trade Conference could not have been timelier, because MC14 has just shown, in real time, exactly what is at stake. Trade is not some abstract, technocratic concept,...
Ride the rails the ‘hard’ way: exclusive brake van trips at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is offering visitors a rare and thrilling opportunity to experience railway travel from an unusual perspective, with the chance to ride in a heritage goods train brake van during the 2026 Spring Steam Gala. Available on Thursday 16...
Exciting volunteer opportunities in catering at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is inviting enthusiastic new volunteers to join its catering team and become part of the warm, welcoming community that keeps the much-loved heritage line on track. Stretching across 16 scenic miles, the railway is powered not only by steam...
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