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.
March – Herefordshire Area Council Meeting Notes
Construction Sector: Recent data from the S&P Global UK Construction PMI highlights a difficult start to 2026 for the industry, with the index falling to 44.5 in February, well below the 50 mark that signals contraction, driven by weak demand, fewer new projects,...
Latest Article
March – Herefordshire Area Council Meeting Notes
Construction Sector: Recent data from the S&P Global UK Construction PMI highlights a difficult start to 2026 for the industry, with the index falling to 44.5 in February, well below the 50 mark that signals contraction, driven by weak demand, fewer new projects,...
Member News
Ministerial visit to Kidderminster sites shines spotlight on apprentices
Specsavers Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) welcomed Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, to Lens Online and International Glazing Services (IGS) during National Apprenticeship Week on Friday 13 February. During the visit, Minister Smith met more than...
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Patron & Strategic News
SME Solicitors’ Private Client team wins ‘Team of the Year’
SME Solicitors, based in Worcester, is delighted to announce that its Private Client team was awarded ‘Private Client Team of the Year’ at the Worcestershire Law Society Awards 2025. The team was recognised for its exceptional client service and community...
Charity Quiz raises over £1,700 for Redgate Sports
SME Solicitors’ 13th Annual Charity Quiz, hosted on 13 November at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, raised £1,789.78 for Redgate Sports, a local charity dedicated to creating sports opportunities for young people. Since its official launch in June 2024,...
Chamber News
Three Key Fixes Needed For SME Finance
The BCC has called for action to improve the availability of finance for SMEs as accessibility, awareness and a lack of competition continue to hold firms back. In written evidence submitted to the Treasury Select Committee, the BCC said many smaller firms are no...
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Adder Bookkeeping Ltd – Adder Bookkeeping was established in December 2006. Their core purpose is to relieve business owners of the pain and stress of accounting and support clients to make better...
Our Latest Member
Lozboutique – Our Journey
Lozboutique is a fast growing online fashion store for ladieswear and childrenswear. The business started its online operations in the UK providing a variety of ladies casual and formal wear in different sizes. The business later launched its junior range for children...
Lozboutique – Our Journey
Lozboutique is a fast growing online fashion store for ladieswear and childrenswear. The business started its online operations in the UK providing a variety of ladies casual and formal wear in different sizes. The business later launched its junior range for children...
Policy News
New Prime Minister Must Act Fast
Liz Truss has been announced as the UK’s new Prime Minister. It is vital that she takes immediate action in her role as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. The vacuum in power that has been left during the process of electing a new leader has...
British Chambers of Commerce react to the announcement of the new Prime Minister
Reacting to the announcement of the new Prime Minister, Sarah Howard, Chair of the BCC, said: “We would like to congratulate Liz Truss on running a successful campaign to become the UK’s new Prime Minister. “She must now take immediate steps to support the economy....
Skills News
“Lockdown” learning for apprentices
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association (HWGTA) Apprentices, Staff and Employers faced uncertainty back in March, with the Training Centres closed and many learners on furlough during the Covid-19 “lockdown”. Despite the speed of the...
Health And Safety Within A Construction Environment
Last week saw Worcestershire-based training provider, InterLearn, launch their first classroom delivery since lockdown measures were enforced in March, benefitting local residents who find themselves out of work as a result of Covid19, by providing much-needed...
Charity News
YSS and Citizens Advice South Worcestershire Invites Everyone to a Heartfelt Valentine’s Day Charity Ball: Have Fun, Create Impact
YSS and Citizens Advice South Worcestershire are two local charities supporting the most vulnerable and marginalised individuals in our local community. We are delighted to announce our upcoming event: the heartwarming Valentine’s Day Charity Ball. This...
St Michael’s Hospice Calls on Local Businesses and Volunteers to Help Transform New Shop
This year marks a significant milestone for St Michael’s Hospice as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, and we are thrilled to announce the opening of not one but two extraordinary new shops, including our largest site yet at Whitestone Business Park. The 50,000...
UK Trade Stabilises After Tariff Hit
Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “UK trade showed signs of stabilising in May as the initial impact of higher US tariffs began to subside. “Services exports and imports showed steady month on month...
BCC News
UK Trade Stabilises After Tariff Hit
Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “UK trade showed signs of stabilising in May as the initial impact of higher US tariffs began to subside. “Services exports and imports showed steady month on month...
Worcestershire News
Garland Surgical Limited Join the Chamber
Garland Surgical Ltd was founded in early 2022, a collaboration between British-Maltese Entrepreneur Simon Mifsud, Netherlands based Health-Tech Venture Builder NLC and the inventing team from the University of Malta. Garland is dedicated to pioneering innovation in...
Chamber member supports award-winning West Mercia Police VAWG campaign
Chamber member Ruby Edwards of You Do Better is delighted to be a part of the award-winning Safer Streets project by West Mercia Police, that has been honoured with a prestigious Regional Award. CAPTION: L-R: Campaign Manager Ruby Edwards (You Do Better Ltd) with...
Herefordshire News
Courtyard launch Food For Families project for families struggling to make ends meet
The Courtyard are delighted to be hosting a series of Food For Families events every Saturday from 4 – 25 March for families who are struggling to make ends meet. With thanks to Talk Community Hub’s Winter of Wellbeing fund, The Courtyard are offering families the...
A ‘Pug’ load of shunting in-store for the Cotswolds
Class 21 ‘Pug’ steam tank locomotive to visit the Cotswolds A shunting stalwart for the Cotswold Festival of Steam, 12-14 May 2023 Daily passenger workings from Toddington to Winchcombe and back 03 March 2023: A diminutive and characterful 123-year-old 0-4-0 steam...
All Latest News
Severn Valley Railway – Black Friday Special Offer
Save 20% on Santa’s Steam Specials Tickets! You’ll need to hurry, this offer ends at 4pm this Wednesday 26 November 2025. Santa’s Steam Specials tickets include: Private compartment or reserved table in a historic carriage Travel from Kidderminster to...
Trueline Products Celebrates INCA Component Supplier of the Year 2025
Trueline Products is celebrating another proud moment this season after being awarded INCA Component Supplier of the Year 2025, further strengthening its position as one of the industry’s most consistently trusted and high-performing manufacturers. Having previously...
Limbco Launches New Marketing Initiative for Customers
The recent appointment of a Digital Marketing Manager marks a significant step in Limbco’s strategic growth, enabling delivery of tailored marketing solutions for their customers. This includes bespoke strategies, digital advertising, social media management and...
KEMP Hospice Invites Community to “Shine a Light” for Those Living with Life-Limiting Illness and Bereavement
This festive season, KEMP Hospice is proud to launch its “Shine a Light” appeal, calling on the Wyre Forest community to remember, celebrate, and support loved ones through a heartfelt fundraising campaign. As a charity that never charges for its care, KEMP Hospice...
Virtual tour transforms local charity play centre
Technology with Heart: Visual-Eyes & The Chamwell Centre For most of us, visiting a new location is routine. But for the children supported by the Chamwell Charity Centre, a new environment can be a source of significant stress. Chamwell provides a vital safe...
Key Employment Law Updates: Winter 2025
Employment Rights Bill in “Ping Pong” Phase as Key Provisions Remain in Debate As winter 2025 approaches, the Employment Rights Act 2025 has yet to be finalised, with several headline provisions still under dispute following rejection by the House of Lords on 28...
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