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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.

Free Business Breakfast: Coffee, cake & employment law updates
Employment law is changing – but have you considered how these updates could impact your business? Could they affect how you hire and manage your staff? Are your contracts, policies and procedures still up to date? Do you feel confident you’re meeting your...
Latest Article
Free Business Breakfast: Coffee, cake & employment law updates
Employment law is changing – but have you considered how these updates could impact your business? Could they affect how you hire and manage your staff? Are your contracts, policies and procedures still up to date? Do you feel confident you’re meeting your...
Member News
‘Scots Guardsman’ to replace ‘Tornado’ at the SVR’s Railway 200: Trains through the Ages event
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed that LMS 46115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ will appear at its Railway 200: Trains though the Ages event on 5 and 6 July, as a replacement for 60163 ‘Tornado’. Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director said: ‘As one door closes,...
15 Herefordshire businesses sign the Armed Forces Covenant at NMITE’s Military to Business event, supported by UK Government
Fifteen Herefordshire businesses signed the armed forces covenant today at NMITE’s sixth annual Military to Business Showcase. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families,...
Patron & Strategic News
University Students Try out Latest Performance Analysis Technology
Students at the University of Worcester got a chance to try out some of the latest technology in the world of sports performance analysis. SmartCart Technologies visited to speak to students on the Master’s Sport (Applied Performance Analysis) course about the latest...
University of Worcester Recognised for Community Work and Inclusive Approach
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for two awards recognising its contribution to the community and its commitment to inclusion. The Circle 2 Success Regional Business Awards celebrate excellence in businesses and organisations across the South Midlands...
Chamber News
Chamber Business Awards 2023 – Finalists Announced!
We are delighted to reveal the shortlisted finalists for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023! Sponsored by Herefordshire Council, the Awards celebrate firms across the two counties and are a fantastic way to raise awareness...
Chairs Report March 23
Planning for the future Following the challenges of recovering from the pandemic, inflation is now becoming the largest threat to business. We face continued challenges around labour shortages, supply chains, raw material availability and energy costs will drive price...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Alcocks Nicholls Stewart!
Introducing new Chamber Members, Alcocks Nicholls Stewart. A bit about us: Mark and I (Mark Nicholls and Kirsty Stewart) took over the business in March 2020, the organisation was originally established in 1970 and is now known as Alcocks Nicholls Stewart (formerly...

Introducing Alcocks Nicholls Stewart!
Introducing new Chamber Members, Alcocks Nicholls Stewart. A bit about us: Mark and I (Mark Nicholls and Kirsty Stewart) took over the business in March 2020, the organisation was originally established in 1970 and is now known as Alcocks Nicholls Stewart (formerly...
Policy News
Two million rural homes and businesses to benefit in £5 billion broadband upgrade
Millions of people in rural England will get access to faster broadband speeds as part of a £5 billion plan to level up internet access across the UK. The government’s Project Gigabit fund aims to upgrade digital infrastructure in hard-to-reach areas. New details...
UK trade data reveals decline in services imports and exports
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released new data about UK services trade over the past couple of years. The data shows that UK service exports and imports have declined since Quarter 1 2019, with EU trade falling more than non-EU trade. In Quarter 1...
Skills News
Higher technical education reforms
The Department for Education (DfE) is planning to improve higher technical education to help people train or retrain for high-skilled jobs. These reforms will cover learners studying for higher technical education qualifications. The reforms are designed to: improve...
2020 Employer Skills Survey
Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) are gathering information on the skills gaps and training needs SMEs face in Worcestershire, particularly in relation to the use of digital technologies. As part of this assessment, we are asking our colleagues, business support...
Charity News
Excitement builds as St Michael’s Hospice Plant Fair nears
One of the biggest Plant Fairs in Herefordshire returns this Spring with hundreds set to visit. St Michael’s Hospice says it is excited to welcome visitors from across the county and beyond to the latest instalment of its annual Plant Fair, to be held at its...
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...

Customs Procedures Still Holding Back UK Exports
• Major survey of UK businesses finds customs procedures remain the top barrier to exporting (cited by 45% of companies) • 40% of firms say geo-political events have impacted their business over the last year • 37% of exporters anticipate an increase export business...
BCC News
Customs Procedures Still Holding Back UK Exports
• Major survey of UK businesses finds customs procedures remain the top barrier to exporting (cited by 45% of companies) • 40% of firms say geo-political events have impacted their business over the last year • 37% of exporters anticipate an increase export business...
Worcestershire News
The Cottage in the Wood Malvern’s 1919 Restaurant earns coveted 3-AA Rosettes
The Cottage in the Wood’s 1919 Restaurant has been awarded the prestigious accolade of 3-AA Rosettes. The AA Rosette Awards are regarded as a mark of culinary excellence in the UK and to achieve this milestone reflects 1919 Restaurant’s consistent pursuit of...
Wellbeing job clubs sign up 120 clients in first three months
A brand-new wellbeing job club and support service opened in Worcester in June of this year to support people who are looking to work towards gaining employment or training. Three months down the line, and more than 120 people are already gaining support. The service,...
Herefordshire News
Pippin Copywriting sponsors NMITE Masterclass with Andrew Haines, CEO of Network Rail
NMITE’s latest Masterclass: Lessons in Leadership was sponsored by Chamber member Pippin Copywriting Ltd. The Masterclass, held on 2 February, was with Andrew Haines, OBE, CEO of Network Rail, and featured an audience Q&A. Catherine Every, Director of Pippin...
Prestigious award for GWSR and Broadway Museum & Art Gallery
GWSR and Museum win ‘Heritage Railway Interpretation Award’ Award for ‘Journey through Steam’ exhibition in Broadway Museum & Art Gallery Exhibition extended until November GWSR shortlisted for three additional Heritage Railway Association awards 16th February...
All Latest News
Former Marine to Take on 10,000 Burpees in 24 Hour Challenge
A former Royal Marines Commando from Worcestershire, will attempt to perform 10,000 burpees in 24 hours this weekend as he raises money for the military charity that supported him. Jamie Grant, 46, a former student and colleague at the University of Worcester, has...
Celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week
As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week at Wychavon District Council, Holly Bolt from Nurturingnd and Jonathan Downes of Glassfull collaborated to deliver impactful workshops aimed at fostering inclusive workplaces where all minds can thrive. These sessions,...
Celebrating a Decade of Excellence: Aphex Warehouse Services Marks 10 Years of Growth and Reliability
A decade ago, Aphex was founded with a vision: to provide top-tier warehouse storage solutions that maximise space. Ten years later, we are proud to celebrate a journey marked by reliability, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our customers. From our humble...
GTAccess Wins Prestigious ‘Access Rental Company of the Year’ Award
Dublin, March 13, 2025 – GTAccess is proud to announce that we have been awarded the highly prestigious Access Rental Company of the Year at this year’s industry awards ceremony held in Dublin. With our Head Office based in Bromsgrove, GTAccess operates a strong...
BCC Director General calls for ‘new settlement with our closest neighbours’
• Director General Shevaun Haviland calls on the Government to push for a new settlement with the EU to support British businesses to expand and drive growth. • More than 400 businesses are expected at the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Driving International...
Labour Pressures Continue for Businesses
Reacting to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The labour market remains a significant challenge for employers who are struggling with skills...
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