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.
Hundreds invited to remember loved ones at KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release
People across Wyre Forest are being invited to celebrate the lives of loved ones they have lost at one of KEMP Hospice’s most moving events. The KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release returns to Bodenham Arboretum on Saturday 12 September 2026, offering families and...
Latest Article
Hundreds invited to remember loved ones at KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release
People across Wyre Forest are being invited to celebrate the lives of loved ones they have lost at one of KEMP Hospice’s most moving events. The KEMP Hospice Butterfly Release returns to Bodenham Arboretum on Saturday 12 September 2026, offering families and...
Member News
Leading Anti-Poverty Author to Speak at Worcester’s Hive Library
One of the nation’s leading experts on poverty and its causes is to give a talk at Worcester’s Hive Library, after praising the landmark building in her latest book. In Impoverished: How to Fix Britain’s Poverty Problem, renowned author and film-maker Joanna Mack...
New Hoople Training Promotional Video Launches
Hoople Group is delighted to launch its new Hoople Training promotional video, showcasing its training facilities, expert trainers and wide range of courses available to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations. Watch the video to discover...
Patron & Strategic News
LEADERSHIP CHANGES AT REHAU WINDOWS UK TO SET THE COURSE FOR 2030
On the heels of yet another strong year of growth, REHAU Windows UK has announced a series of structural changes to its senior management team in line with its ambitious Vision and Strategy 2030, taking effect from June 2026. Most notably, after 38 years’ service,...
Conference to Examine Impact of Brexit on Politics and Law in the UK
The two-day conference, held on June 25 and 26 and funded by the Society of Legal Scholars, will hear from some of the biggest names in politics, who’ll be discussing how Britain’s departure from the EU impacted accountability, parliament, rights and equality, and...
Chamber News
How the Chamber can support you, when starting a new business.
Starting a new business can be an exciting experience, but knowing how to take the first step can be daunting, especially when you have your business plan ready. At the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, we believe that preparation is key. To...
Business Awards Entries Open Soon!
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards are back Thursday 13th June 2024, at University Arena, Worcester. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire Council, the Awards will welcome over 700 guests from businesses across...
Our Latest Member
Introducing ‘Where Next’ to Chamber Membership!
Established in 1984, Where Next is a local charity offering day services to young people and adults with learning disabilities enabling them to fulfil their potential. This includes offering real life work placements through our community based social enterprises...
Introducing ‘Where Next’ to Chamber Membership!
Established in 1984, Where Next is a local charity offering day services to young people and adults with learning disabilities enabling them to fulfil their potential. This includes offering real life work placements through our community based social enterprises...
Policy News
Weak GDP highlights continued fragility of UK economy
Reacting to the latest ONS GDP figures, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “The first estimate of GDP for Q1 2023 of 0.1% growth indicates the UK is avoiding a recession and shows the resilience of businesses who are having to weather serious headwinds....
Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey now open
Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey is now open. Click here to take part. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce represent the views of our members to national government, ensuring that the business case drives government policy. A great benefit of...
Skills News
New Engineering training centre complete in Worcestershire
Work has now been completed on the Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW College) Duckworth Centre of Engineering. The engineering centre has been built to help meet the local need for engineers with a focus on automotive, plumbing & heating engineering students;...
Apprenticeship funding announced for Worcestershire
A further £250,000 funding has been made available to help young people gain employment in Worcestershire. Worcestershire County Council is working alongside Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to release its apprenticeship levy to provide training funds...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice welcomes government funding boost to improve facilities and services
St Michael’s Hospice is grateful for the news that they will receive in the coming weeks £166,000 of Government funding towards capital programmes, as a result of the lobbying from Hospice UK. The Government has pledged an investment of £100 million into hospices...
KEMP Hospice Joins National Campaign to Change Perceptions of Hospice Care
Wyre Forest’s KEMP Hospice is proud to be one of over 140 hospices taking part in the “This is Hospice Care” campaign, a national initiative facilitated by Hospice UK. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the vital role hospices play in communities, and to shift...
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
BCC News
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Worcestershire News
County’s only Specialist Marketing Recruitment Agency Opens in Worcester
A Worcestershire businesswoman has launched the county’s first, and only, specialist marketing, business development and customer care recruitment business. As we head into the new year thoughts turn to the ‘new start’ that the 1st January brings and ‘new year...
Memories of ‘Miracle’ Baby Grayson as Vital Acorns Care Meant Parents Never Felt Alone
The parents of a ‘miracle’ baby boy have told how their happiness turned into heartbreak when he died aged just six months old – but how vital care from Acorns Children’s Hospice meant they never felt alone. Becky and George smile through tears as they remember...
Herefordshire News
Manufacturing Excellence Boost For The West Midlands
Two pioneering engineering and technology centres form collaboration – Manufacturing Technology Centre and New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering A ground-breaking agreement has been signed between the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the...
Cosford finance event hailed a flyaway success
More businesses from across the Marches have been urged to take advantage of a £350million funding programme to help them grow at a hugely successful event. Around 60 people attended the event – staged by the British Business Bank and the Marches LEP at the RAF...
All Latest News
Hot Weather – Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
An employee starts feeling dizzy in the heat. They say they just need a minute. You let them carry on. They collapse. This is how heat related illness turns serious fast. Too many people treat heat as harmless. Just part of summer. Something to push through. But heat...
Mayor Welcomes University Netballers After Historic Trophy Win
Netballers from the University of Worcester have been welcomed to the Guildhall by the City’s Mayor, who formally congratulated the side for their historic win in the National Trophy Final. The team defeated Bath 2s in the British Universities and Colleges Sports...
Join rail leaders at the Severn Valley Railway as they shape the legacy of the Greatest Gathering
A unique and thought-provoking evening exploring the future of the rail industry will take place at the Severn Valley Railway’s Engine House at Highley on Thursday 14 May, as part of its Spring Diesel Festival. Bringing together an exceptionally well-connected panel...
John Truslove spearheading marketing of major development set to bring 150 jobs to Redditch
Worcestershire’s leading commercial property agency John Truslove has welcomed the granting of planning approval for a major logistics development in Redditch which could see 150 jobs created. Ben Truslove, joint managing director of John Truslove, said the news meant...
Women Remain Significantly Underrepresented in UK News Media, According to New National Report
Women remain significantly underrepresented in UK news media, with nearly twice as many men appearing in stories as women; a ratio that has barely changed in 30 years, according to a new national report. The study, which analysed 570 news stories, more than 2,000...
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...
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