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.
Why Insurance Brokers Ask So Many Questions
Why Brokers Ask Detailed Questions For many small business owners, arranging insurance can feel overly detailed.Questions about operations, contracts, turnover, property use or future plans may seem excessive when you simply want cover in place. In reality, these...
Latest Article
Why Insurance Brokers Ask So Many Questions
Why Brokers Ask Detailed Questions For many small business owners, arranging insurance can feel overly detailed.Questions about operations, contracts, turnover, property use or future plans may seem excessive when you simply want cover in place. In reality, these...
Member News
Added Value Enterprises [AVE] accelerates growth by 225% following sector expansion
Procurement and consultancy specialists, Added Value Enterprises [AVE], have scaled growth by an impressive 225% over the last 12 months following its increased service offering and successful expansion into the hospitality and care sectors. Established in 2021, AVE...
Doors Open at Brand-New Ludlow Charity Warehouse
Shoppers were welcomed through the doors at St Michael’s Hospice’s new charity shop, Ludlow Home & Living. The ribbon was cut by shop manager, Giles Kember, and Ludlow’s Mayor, Councillor Di Lyle, before customers were invited inside to explore the transformed...
Patron & Strategic News
Upskilling Through Apprenticeships at SME Solicitors
Over the last year, SME Solicitors has been upskilling team members through apprenticeship and skills bootcamp courses. Jack Stirzaker, who is undertaking a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing with The Development Manager, discusses his experience. I...
SME Solicitors supports Workplace Wellbeing with new Mental Health First Aider
In September, Jessica Aldersey, SME Solicitors’ Office Manager, dedicated two working days to completing a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course with Garrett Learning. This comprehensive training has equipped Jess with valuable skills that will benefit both herself...
Chamber News
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...
Why are motor insurance premiums at a record high?
Analysis by The Association of British Insurers (ABI), which looks at 28 million motor insurance policies, suggests that the average price paid for motor insurance in the second quarter of 2023 continued to increase. The average premium paid for private comprehensive...
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
Virtual open events and learning prove a hit for WCG
A leading college group based in Warwickshire and Worcestershire, which was among the first colleges in the country to run virtual open events during the Coronavirus lockdown, will continue using online platforms as a showcase for prospective students. WCG (formerly...
“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...
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...
Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact
Recruitment remains static with 55% of firms attempting to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q1) Hiring remains challenging despite some respite, with 73% of firms reporting difficulties in Q2 (76% in Q1) Transport and logistics (80%) and...
BCC News
Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact
Recruitment remains static with 55% of firms attempting to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q1) Hiring remains challenging despite some respite, with 73% of firms reporting difficulties in Q2 (76% in Q1) Transport and logistics (80%) and...
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
Navigating the Future of UK Healthcare: How TR Health Supports You in 2026
As we move closer to 2026, the UK’s healthcare landscape is poised for significant shifts. Demand for timely, accessible medical support is increasing. One of the biggest challenges in 2026 will be the increasing pressure on the NHS, as demand continues to...
Why 2026 Is Opus’s Year
Every new year brings its own set of challenges and in the world of claims handling, but with the Opus way: tenacity over turbulence, what defines Opus isn’t the challenges we face, it’s the way we respond to them. Our team is built on resilience and grit! If an...
Could William Shakespeare have tied the knot in Worcester?
Experts will put the marriage of William Shakespeare and its connections to Worcester under the spotlight during a special event at The Hive. The University of Worcester panel discussion on Tuesday, December 2 from 6.30pm-8pm, focuses on Shakespeare’s marriage bond,...
Dedicate a shooting star this Christmas to someone you’ll never forget
A unique, handcrafted ‘shooting star’ tribute to remember someone loved and missed is at the heart of an emotional campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice this December – to ensure their memory still shines bright. Celebrate Your Star invites people to honour lost...
Documentaries Earn Honours for Two University of Worcester Graduates
Two University of Worcester graduates have won prestigious awards at an event celebrating the top journalists in the region. 21-year-old Aiden Holland, from Dudley, who studied Journalism and History, won Student Television Journalist of the Year at the Midlands Media...
Monthly Book Club Goes Weekly for a Dickensian December
The adult reading group at The Hive will go weekly in December, as one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time is brought to life. Books Aloud usually meets on the last Wednesday of each month. A short story is chosen, read aloud to the group, and then...
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