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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.
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Community lender BCRS Business Loans ‘on course for greater success’ in supporting economic growth
Community lender BCRS Business Loans is on course to build on one of its most successful years to date by supporting businesses to grow and increase employment, its annual general meeting was told. Updating members of the co-operative society at Wolverhampton Science...
Latest Article
Community lender BCRS Business Loans ‘on course for greater success’ in supporting economic growth
Community lender BCRS Business Loans is on course to build on one of its most successful years to date by supporting businesses to grow and increase employment, its annual general meeting was told. Updating members of the co-operative society at Wolverhampton Science...
Member News
Free calculator reveals the true cost of IT downtime for local businesses
Gloucestershire IT and cyber security specialist System Force IT has launched a free online calculator that puts a pound figure on IT downtime, a cost most business owners never measure. The tool counts two things: the idle time of staff who cannot work, and any...
Herefordshire Mind Launches New Suicide Prevention Campaign Supported by Herefordshire Council
Herefordshire Mind has launched a new suicide prevention initiative, supported by Herefordshire Council, to make mental health support more visible and accessible across the county. The campaign has seen 20,000 specially designed beer mats distributed to more than 40...
Patron & Strategic News
Full Circle Moment as Worcester Lecturer Graduates for Third Time
A Worcester woman has graduated from the University of Worcester for a third time, after receiving her PhD at Worcester Cathedral. Dr Katy Wareham Morris first joined the University in 2003 as an undergraduate studying English & Literary Studies and Media &...
World Suicide Prevention Day
With World Suicide Prevention Day almost here (Thursday 10th September), we wanted to remind you of the information, support and activities previously share around what’s going on in Worcestershire and beyond (see below). This year we’re encouraging...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members | May 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout May: WHC Hire Services Ltd – A provider of tool, plant, and equipment hire services for construction and trade projects. WH Integrated Solutions Ltd – A facilities management company providing operational...
UK Steel Strategy
From 1st July, the government will be reducing the amount of steel that can be imported without tariffs, meaning that there will be 50% import tariffs on companies that exceed the 60% quota set by the government. There is some uncertainty over the reasoning behind...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | May 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout May: WHC Hire Services Ltd – A provider of tool, plant, and equipment hire services for construction and trade projects. WH Integrated Solutions Ltd – A facilities management company providing operational...
Welcome New Members | May 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout May: WHC Hire Services Ltd – A provider of tool, plant, and equipment hire services for construction and trade projects. WH Integrated Solutions Ltd – A facilities management company providing operational...
Policy News
Iran Conflict Deepens Inflation Concerns
Responding to the latest inflation data, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s 3.3% inflation figure for March is an early signal that the Iran conflict is...
Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q1 2026 Report Released
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Report for Q1 2026, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The QES is the UK’s largest independent business survey and provides a key...
Skills News
Make Strides – A Digital-First Learning and Development Company
Make Strides is a digital-first learning and development company, helping people and organisations grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence. We specialise in early careers and leadership development, offering bite-size, engaging and accredited digital programmes...
Apprenticeship Plans are ‘Mixed Bag’ for Business
Responding to the Government’s plans for apprenticeship reform in England, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Apprenticeships are high-quality, valued qualifications and businesses welcome the funding boost announced by...
Charity News
Hillscourt Hotel & Conference Centre Announces Partnership with Primrose Hospice
Hillscourt Hotel & Conference Centre has announced Primrose Hospice as one of its chosen charity partners, beginning what promises to be a meaningful and long-lasting relationship with one of Worcestershire’s most valued local charities. Known for its...
OrchardFest Returns – Join Orchard Trust For Their Accessible Music Festival on 15th August 2026
Orchard Trust is excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest is returning on 15th August 2026! About the Festival: OrchardFest 2026 is Orchard Trust’s popular accessible music festival, designed especially for people with learning disabilities, where everyone is...
British Chambers of Commerce Calls for Budget Action to Cut Business Costs
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to reduce the rising costs faced by UK businesses. According to the BCC, increasing government-driven costs are damaging business confidence, limiting investment, and slowing...
BCC News
British Chambers of Commerce Calls for Budget Action to Cut Business Costs
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to reduce the rising costs faced by UK businesses. According to the BCC, increasing government-driven costs are damaging business confidence, limiting investment, and slowing...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway wins UK Enterprise award
The Severn Valley Railway has been named as Leading Railway Enthusiast Site in the 2025 SME UK Enterprise Awards. Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll said: ‘SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are...
SVR confirms 35006 P&O S N Co and overnight running for its Autumn Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed the first guest for its Autumn Steam Gala will be 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co, which will make its first-ever appearance at the heritage line during the four-day event from 18 to 21 September. And, in a special move...
Herefordshire News
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
Hereford Military History Festival Honours Herefordshire History with Network of Local Partners and Community Support
HEREFORD, 19th August 2025 — The inaugural Hereford Military History Festival 2025 is a highly ambitious new addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, which aims to support the city’s local community, celebrate its culture and heritage, and honour its rich military...
All Latest News
SVR’s home fleet takes centre stage at Autumn Diesel Bash
The Severn Valley Railway’s own diesel fleet will take centre stage this autumn, with an intensive four-day celebration of home-based traction from 1 to 4 October. Timetables and locomotive allocations have just been announced. The SVR’s Autumn Diesel Bash will...
Bromsgrove businesses invited to attend new networking event
Bromsgrove businesses are invited to attend a brand-new networking event hosted by BCRS Business Loans next month. Lending specialists BCRS Business Loans is launching its first Wine After Work networking event at the Queens Head, Sugarbrook Lane in Bromsgrove on...
AI-driven CVs create recruitment headache for employers
A Worcestershire recruitment firm has urged businesses to rethink how they screen jobseekers as AI is making it easier for candidates to submit large volumes of job applications at the click of a button. Joanna Pennell, divisional manager at Worcester-based Pineapple...
BCC Economic Forecast: Weak Business Investment Hits Growth Outlook
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Economic Forecast suggests the outlook for the UK will remain uncertain. While the economy was more resilient in Q2 than expected, higher energy and business costs are likely to keep growth weak this year and next. The key...
Bewdley Express rolls out for first commuter journey on the SVR
The Severn Valley Railway’s Bewdley Express commuter trial got off to a flying start today [Tuesday 1 September] as the first heritage train carried passengers from Bewdley towards Birmingham, marking the beginning of an eight-week experiment in connecting the town...
New paralegal joins mfg’s Residential Property department as work grows
Law firm mfg Solicitors has added further to its growing Residential Property team with the appointment of a new paralegal. Elizabeth Simpson has joined the firm from Parkinson Wright where she spent just over two years. Aside from supporting the team and its clients,...
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