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.
When access isn’t access: what digital adoption misses in practice
Digital adoption is high on the agenda for many organisations, with Government supported programmes such as Made Smarter and Innovate UK supporting businesses to invest in new technology and systems. But adoption is only the first step. Currie.Foligno Consulting’s...
Latest Article
When access isn’t access: what digital adoption misses in practice
Digital adoption is high on the agenda for many organisations, with Government supported programmes such as Made Smarter and Innovate UK supporting businesses to invest in new technology and systems. But adoption is only the first step. Currie.Foligno Consulting’s...
Member News
Herefordshire team prepares others to save lives in African wilderness
In a world where headlines are often dominated by crisis, the work that helps prevent those outcomes and keeps people safe rarely makes the news. But behind the scenes—and often far from home—teams are equipping others with the skills to step forward when it matters...
Speak Volumes Festival to Return Bigger Than Ever
The organisers of this year’s Speak Volumes Festival are putting the finishing touches on plans for the three-day event but say there’s still room for artists and performers to sign up and take part. Taking place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May, the festival, which...
Patron & Strategic News
THE BRITISH INSURANCE AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS
Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers celebrate their latest award announcement being named Finalist in The British Insurance Awards 2026 in two categories: Commercial SME/Mid Corporate Broker of the year and Small Broker of the Year’ The British Insurance Awards...
HRH The Duke of Gloucester Officially Opens Duke’s Building at University of Worcester
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester has formally opened the Duke’s Building at the University of Worcester, a major new facility for health, wellbeing and sport education, named in honour of the University’s Chancellor. His Royal Highness unveiled a...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber launches Business Manifesto 2026/27 at the Annual Economic Conference
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has launched its Business Manifesto 2026/27 at the Chamber’s Annual Economic Conference, setting out the organisation’s priorities for the year ahead and highlighting the key issues facing businesses across...
Chamber Hosts MPQ Sessions for Members Across the Region
On 6 February, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce members had the opportunity to meet with Jesse Norman MP and Ellie Chowns MP during the Chamber’s MPQ sessions. The event offered a valuable forum for businesses across the county to discuss key...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
Policy News
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Rates Held As Inflation Risks Rise
Reacting to the latest interest rate decision, by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The geopolitical kaleidoscope has been dramatically shaken since the Bank last met to set the interest rate. Today’s...
Skills News
Trio complete training contracts at Worcestershire law firm
Three up and coming lawyers are celebrating after completing their training contracts with Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors. Solicitors Sufyaan Aslim, Lucy Palmer and Molly Wall have now been appointed into full-time positions at the law firm having completed...
Make Strides – A Digital-First Learning and Development Company
Make Strides is a digital-first learning and development company, helping people and organisations grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence. We specialise in early careers and leadership development, offering bite-size, engaging and accredited digital programmes...
Charity News
OrchardFest Returns – Join Orchard Trust For Their Accessible Music Festival on 15th August 2026
Orchard Trust is excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest is returning on 15th August 2026! About the Festival OrchardFest 2026 is Orchard Trust’s popular accessible music festival, designed especially for people with learning disabilities, where everyone is...
UK’S FIRST ON-SITE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TRAINING FACILITY OPENS AT NEW COLLEGE WORCESTER, BUILT THROUGH INDUSTRY COLLABOARTION TO SUPPORT THE VISION IMPAIRED
New College Worcester (NCW), a national residential school for blind and vision impaired young people, has installed a state-of-the-art pedestrian crossing on its campus, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. The Noel Duffy Pedestrian Crossing provides a...
Surprise Fall In Unemployment But Threat Remains
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While unemployment has seen a surprise fall to 4.9%, the expectation is that it will rise this year as business...
BCC News
Surprise Fall In Unemployment But Threat Remains
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While unemployment has seen a surprise fall to 4.9%, the expectation is that it will rise this year as business...
Worcestershire News
A Vintage Transport Extravaganza at the SVR in August
A full weekend of heritage trains and classic vehicles awaits as the Severn Valley Railway’s much-loved Vintage Transport Extravaganza rolls in on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August. Just weeks after the railway proudly reopens its full 16.5-mile route from Kidderminster...
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...
Herefordshire News
Escape to the Country features Herefordshire and Country & Classic Properties
On Monday 13th October Escape to Country featured Herefordshire – what a fabulous showcase for our fabulous rural county, showcasing all the county’s lovely views, countryside, attractive towns and villages. Not just one but two of the lovely, and quite...
Baton of Hope Tour to Visit Hereford on 2nd October – Shining a Light on Suicide Prevention
The UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative, the Baton of Hope Tour, will arrive in Hereford on Wednesday 2nd October, bringing with it a powerful message of hope, support and community action. The Baton of Hope, a specially designed baton symbolising the...
All Latest News
Meet the PhD Students Transforming How We Understand Our World
Have you ever wondered what kind of world-shaping research is happening right now on your doorstep in Worcestershire? A free event at The Hive on Thursday 7 May, 18.30-20.00, will give the public a rare chance to hear directly from three University of Worcester PhD...
Severn Valley Railway named as finalist in Muddy Awards
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted as a finalist for Best Family Experience in the Muddy Stilettos Awards for Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. The awards, run by Muddy Stilettos – the UK’s leading luxury lifestyle...
THE BRITISH INSURANCE AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS
Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers celebrate their latest award announcement being named Finalist in The British Insurance Awards 2026 in two categories: Commercial SME/Mid Corporate Broker of the year and Small Broker of the Year’ The British Insurance Awards...
UK’s Economic Security At Risk
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging Government to prioritise the UK’s economic security, after 10 years of geopolitical shocks have repeatedly damaged growth. Businesses in the UK have been left permanently bruised by the Pandemic, Brexit, wars in Ukraine...
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...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here