Business Direction Online
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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.
SVR resident Stanier Mogul 13268 to return to the main line with Vintage Trains
The Severn Valley Railway and the Stanier Mogul Fund have announced that Stanier Mogul LMS No 13268 is to return to main line service later this year under a new arrangement with Vintage Trains, based at Tyseley in Birmingham. The arrangement will see the popular...
Latest Article
SVR resident Stanier Mogul 13268 to return to the main line with Vintage Trains
The Severn Valley Railway and the Stanier Mogul Fund have announced that Stanier Mogul LMS No 13268 is to return to main line service later this year under a new arrangement with Vintage Trains, based at Tyseley in Birmingham. The arrangement will see the popular...
Member News
Severn Valley Railway temporarily suspends steam services during prolonged hot and dry weather
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced that, because of the continuing period of exceptionally hot and dry weather and with little rainfall forecast, it is suspending all steam-hauled services until further notice. Heritage diesel locomotives will haul all...
University Lecturer Completes 310-Mile Charity Kayak Challenge
A University of Worcester lecturer who has kayaked 310 miles in 31 days to raise money for charity is set to complete his month-long challenge today (Friday 31 July), having already exceeded his original fundraising target. Steve Ennis, Business Lecturer and Managing...
Patron & Strategic News
HCR Law Announces Winners of the 2026 HCR Spark Award
HCR Law is delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 HCR Spark Award, an inspiring initiative designed to support and encourage young people considering a career in the legal profession. Following an exceptional response from schools and colleges across...
University of Worcester Shortlisted for UK Social Mobility Award for Record Fourth Time
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards for a fourth time. The prestigious national awards recognise organisations that are making a measurable difference in improving social mobility across the UK....
Chamber News
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES 2) is Now Live – Share Your Insights
The second 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 11 May to 1 June, QES 2 gives businesses the opportunity to share their experiences and...
Women’s Business Conference 2026 Returns with Inspiring Speaker Line-Up and Powerful Stories of Leadership and Resilience
The Women’s Business Conference returns in 2026 as one of the Chamber’s flagship events, bringing together professionals from across the region to celebrate, connect, and empower women in business. Proudly sponsored by mfg Legal Services Limited, the conference...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | April 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout April: Bexley Beaumont – A specialist provider of outsourced HR solutions and employee relations support for organisations across the UK. Cristie & Co – Offers tailored website management,...
Welcome New Members | April 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout April: Bexley Beaumont – A specialist provider of outsourced HR solutions and employee relations support for organisations across the UK. Cristie & Co – Offers tailored website management,...
Policy News
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...
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...
Skills News
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...
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...
Charity News
West Mercia Search & Rescue Achieves Drone Milestone
West Mercia Search & Rescue is an entirely volunteer, registered charity, supporting police and emergency services across Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire in the search for vulnerable, high risk missing people. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a...
Stronger Together: New Webinar Programme Launches to Support Veterans’ Families and Friends
Combat Stress Learning is proud to launch the Stronger Together Programme, a new series of five live online webinars designed specifically for family members and friends of veterans. Families and loved ones often play a vital role in supporting veterans who may be...
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
BCC News
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
Worcestershire News
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...
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...
Herefordshire News
Celebrating excellence in apprenticeships
We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the first-ever Herefordshire Apprenticeship Awards. Hosted by Herefordshire Growth Hub in partnership with Herefordshire Council and local training organisations, these awards will recognise and celebrate:...
Visit Herefordshire PR and Reel Creation Tender – Open
Herefordshire County BID Ltd (HCBID) is seeking to engage the services of a specialist agency with proven expertise in the strategic delivery of PR in the visitor economy. Project Scope: HCBID is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced businesses to provide...
All Latest News
Warwickshire College Group (WCG) Secures £4.8 Million to Propel Pershore Construction Academy to the Next Level
Warwickshire College Group (WCG) is thrilled to announce it has successfully secured nearly £4.8m in grant funding from the Department for Education’s Construction Skills Capacity Fund. This major investment will fund a rapid and transformative expansion of the...
Professionals urged to reap the rewards of careers in education
A leading employment agency is urging people to consider a career in education to reap the rewards of better work-life balance, childcare savings and job security. Pineapple Recruitment said the education sector was experiencing a surge in talent acquisition as...
BAE SYSTEMS AND NMITE PARTNER TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY AND WIRELESS SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
BAE Systems and the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) have partnered to launch a new Master of Science (MSc) degree programme in Radio Frequency (RF) and Wireless Systems Engineering, aimed at addressing the critical shortage of specialist...
OWB Creative donates craft boxes to charity to support childhood cancer families
Generous marketing specialists OWB Creative have donated colourful craft boxes to a charity supporting families impacted by childhood cancer. The team at OWB Creative, part of Chamber Member DRPG Group, decorated and filled four large boxes with crafting gifts and...
Fifteen Years of CJP Broadcast
CJP Broadcast is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year, marking a period of steady growth that founder and Managing Director Chris Phillips says has exceeded even his own ambitions for the company. Established in 2011 as a service consultancy, CJP is today a...
WHC Hire Services Appoints Four New Apprentices in 2026
Growth is built one person at a time. At WHC Hire Services, that belief has never been more visible than in 2026. The Tewkesbury-based plant and equipment hire company has appointed four new apprentices this year, taking the total proportion of staff either...
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