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.
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Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
Latest Article
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
Member News
ATWELL INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCED AS FINALIST IN CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2026
Worcestershire-based Atwell International Ltd has been named a finalist in the 2026 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, shortlisted in the Excellence in Innovation category. These prestigious awards celebrate the very best of business...
Award-Winning Partnership Showcases Power of Help to Grow Programme
A participant and a leader of the University of Worcester’s Help to Grow: Management programme have been recognised at a national awards ceremony in London. At the event, hosted by organisers of the Help to Grow programme, Steve Ennis and Richard Sadler each scooped...
Patron & Strategic News
Wyevale Nurseries offers expert advice for retail customers on plants that can tolerant climate change
WYEVALE Nurseries is providing free expert advice this year on plants garden centres can offer customers that will both survive very wet and drought conditions (February 2026). As one of the UK’s longest established commercial horticultural businesses, the...
Research Project to Break Down Barriers to Nature for People with Dementia
A new study will help break down barriers to outdoor spaces for millions of people affected by dementia. The research, led by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) in collaboration with Natural England and a range of leading health and...
Chamber News
QES Q3 2023 Report
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are pleased to release the results of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 2023, outlining business performance in the three months up to September. I would like to thank our sponsors for this survey,...
Learning on-the-go: EG People Development launches new eLearning offering
Malvern-based business EG People Development, led by Liz Gait, unveiled their new online learning platform at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s recent Business Expo. EG People Development officially launched their eLearning programme at the...
Our Latest Member
Meet The Team – D & G Security Systems
At D&G Security Systems Ltd we are dedicated to offering a personal service to domestic and commercial clients, both locally and nationally. We are insurance approved, SSAIB registered and police compliant. All our staff are DBS inspected. We install and maintain...
Meet The Team – D & G Security Systems
At D&G Security Systems Ltd we are dedicated to offering a personal service to domestic and commercial clients, both locally and nationally. We are insurance approved, SSAIB registered and police compliant. All our staff are DBS inspected. We install and maintain...
Policy News
The Chamber Business Manifesto 2023/24 is here!
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have released their Business Manifesto 2023/24. The publication outlines our plans for the next financial year detailing the priorities for local and national government, as identified by local businesses during...
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...
Skills News
Department for Education launches new Skills Toolkit
Following the Prime Minister’s speech about retraining and adult skills, the UK government has launched a new Skills Toolkit with additional courses that target employers, prospective learners and employees among others. One in three people have used online learning...
Workplace Training and Development Commission Progress Report
On 4 September, the BCC’s Workplace Training and Development Commission (WTDC) published its Progress Report for consultation. The report marks the halfway point in the Commission’s Inquiry into adult skills in the workplace. It sets out our emerging recommendations...
Charity News
The Courtyard’s Legendary Pantomime Returns this Christmas with Sleeping Beauty
Following rave reviews of 2023’s smash-hit, Dick Whittington, The Courtyard’s award-winning, professional Christmas pantomime is back with Sleeping Beauty. Audiences will be transported into a fairy-tale world of magical mayhem and an enchanted slumber that only true...
Primrose Hospice’s Journey to Sustainability
Primrose Hospice and Family Support Centre has recently completed an 18-month transformation towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. This ambitious journey has seen the installation of solar panels and the connection to a biomass boiler, marking...
Service Exports Climb But Goods Trade In Flux
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “UK trade is heading along two distinct paths. There is a steady rise in services, which already account for more than half of UK exports, but trade in goods remains in flux....
BCC News
Service Exports Climb But Goods Trade In Flux
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “UK trade is heading along two distinct paths. There is a steady rise in services, which already account for more than half of UK exports, but trade in goods remains in flux....
Worcestershire News
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...
Exceptional Year of Awards Success for Leading Worcester-Based Financial Planning Firm
Worcester-based Britannic Place Financial Management, founded by chartered financial planner Steve Perera, has had an exceptional year for awards success. The year started with Britannic Place being recognised as a Top Rated Firm in the Top Rated Guide 2023 produced...
Herefordshire News
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...
Walkers pave the way for thousands of pounds towards St Michael’s Hospice
Hundreds began British Summertime with a walk through Herefordshire’s beautiful countryside in support of a county charity. The St Michael’s Hospice Big Spring Walk raised more than £12,000 for the Bartestree-based charity which provides palliative and...
All Latest News
Why flexible outsourcing can make more sense
In 2026, major changes to UK employment law will reshape how businesses hire, manage staff and plan for the future. The new Employment Rights Bill and related reforms will introduce day-one rights for some employees, strengthen protections and increase potential...
Business School’s Recognition for its Support of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
The University of Worcester’s Business School’s work to support local businesses has helped it to secure re-accreditation of its Small Business Charter. The national accreditation is awarded to business schools which demonstrate excellence and impact in supporting...
Full-on family fun as the Severn Valley Railway reopens for the 2026 season
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is set to welcome families back for the start of its 2026 season on Saturday 14 February, for the half-term break, with heritage trains, hands-on activities and plenty to keep children of all ages entertained. Running between...
DRP secures CCS framework appointment to deliver major Government events
Worcestershire, UK – Tuesday 27 January 2026, DRP UK known as DRPG has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) RM6364 Media and Creative Services framework on Lot 6 (Events). This appointment reinforces DRP’s position as a national delivery...
Planning System Putting the Brakes on Growth
Economic growth is still being constrained by a planning system in England that is ‘too slow, under resourced and unpredictable’, according to a new British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) report. The report, Planning for Business and Growth, says that while recent...
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...
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