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.
Brexit Burden Must Be Cut
As Brexit approaches its 10th anniversary, the British Chambers of Commerce says the government must set out a clear plan to ease the burdens it has placed on business. BCC research shows over half of UK exporters (54%) think the current trade deal with the EU is...
Latest Article
Brexit Burden Must Be Cut
As Brexit approaches its 10th anniversary, the British Chambers of Commerce says the government must set out a clear plan to ease the burdens it has placed on business. BCC research shows over half of UK exporters (54%) think the current trade deal with the EU is...
Member News
Early Modern Justice Brought to Life in Free Lecture at The Hive
An historian who uses actors to re-enact arrests, run-ins with the law, and even riots in early modern England is the latest speaker in the Engine Room Lecture Series at the Hive. Dr Lucy Clarke will present her free lecture, A Justice of the Peace walks into a bar,...
Action for Mental Health Awareness Week At WHC Hire Services
For 2026, WHC Hire Services are proud to once again support Mates in Mind during Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 11th – 17th May. Following our continued commitment to raising awareness around mental health within our industry, this year’s...
Patron & Strategic News
Marathon Efforts Step Up as University Fundraising Total Exceeds £80K
The University of Worcester’s fundraising drive has surged beyond the £80,000 mark, as two colleagues enter the final stages of training for next month’s London Marathon in support of students facing financial hardship. Chris Garratt, Deputy Chief Information Officer...
University of Worcester Netball Crowned National Trophy Champions
The University of Worcester’s Netball team is celebrating a landmark achievement, after winning their National Trophy Final and securing their place as champions. Their victory marks an extraordinary moment for the squad, who reached the final for the first time in a...
Chamber News
Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey Now Open
Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey is now open. Click here to take part. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce represent the views of our members to national government, ensuring that the business case drives government policy. A great benefit of...
Inflation Drops, However Remains at a Historic High Level.
Inflation has dropped again, to 6.8% from 7.9% in June. This is welcome news to businesses that have been hit hard by constant pressures from price rises for many months. However, inflation remains at historically high levels and is significantly below the 2% target...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Brockencote Hall Hotel Limited – Brockencote Hall Hotel, Worcestershire, is a beautiful Victorian country manor house hotel set in 70 acres of stunning Worcestershire parkland. CKLD Ltd (Craig Kershaw...
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Brockencote Hall Hotel Limited – Brockencote Hall Hotel, Worcestershire, is a beautiful Victorian country manor house hotel set in 70 acres of stunning Worcestershire parkland. CKLD Ltd (Craig Kershaw...
Policy News
Falling GDP a concern for British economy
The latest GDP data released on the 12/08/22 has shown a 0.1% fall in GDP between April and June. This data is concerning for the British economy as we move into to the winter recession the Bank of England has forecasted. This GDP data supports this forecast....
A38 Bromsgrove investment: Midlands Connect herald ‘fantastic’ news
The fantastic news that the A38 in Bromsgrove has been given £43 million by the government for upgrades, Chief Executive of Midlands Connect Maria Machancoses said: “The A38 is one of Worcestershire’s most important strategic transport routes and announcement of this...
Skills News
EU Settlement Scheme Reopens for Applications
Home Office support services and application routes associated with the EU Settlement Scheme have now all fully reopened in line with public health guidance. This includes the reopening of the postal route for submitting identity documents for applicants who are...
#SeptemberPromise for all young people
The Association of Colleges is predicting that half of the new labour market entrants (approximately 100,000 16 to 25 year olds) will struggle to find meaningful employment as the economic shocks of COVID19 continue to be felt. For this year’s school and college...
Charity News
Hundreds Attend Opening of “biggest charity shop in the Midlands”
St Michael’s Hospice says it has been amazed by the support for its newest charity shop – thought to be the biggest in the Midlands. Hundreds flocked to the grand opening of the Whitestone Shop and Café last Thursday (May 23rd), with shoppers continuing to visit...
Light Night Worcester 2025
Following a really successful Light Night Worcester 2024, Severn Arts are now looking forward to bringing our popular Light Night back to Worcestershire’s families and communities over two nights in half term on 19th and 20th February, 2025. ‘A real feast...
Small Firms Need More Help to Unlock Trade Opportunities
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, published at the start of International Trade Week, shows a widening divide between the fortunes of different sized UK exporters. The Trade Confidence Outlook results underline the need for urgent...
BCC News
Small Firms Need More Help to Unlock Trade Opportunities
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, published at the start of International Trade Week, shows a widening divide between the fortunes of different sized UK exporters. The Trade Confidence Outlook results underline the need for urgent...
Worcestershire News
Ballards LLP Expands Marketing and Business Development Team
Worcestershire based professional services firm, Ballards LLP, is making significant strides in bolstering its Marketing and Business Development team. Ballards specialise in accounting, taxation, and business advisory services, ensuring that they are well equipped to...
Grand opening of new electrical training centre at Worcester Community Trust’s inaugural annual celebration event
More than 80 members of the local community came together on Thursday 28 September to celebrate the impact that local charity Worcester Community Trust has had during 2022 and 2023. The charity runs six community hubs throughout Worcester, as well as wide range of...
Herefordshire News
Rotherwood Healthcare Breaks Ground on Colwall Care Home
Rotherwood Healthcare holds groundbreaking ceremony as it begins construction on its 60-bed care home development in the village of Colwall, on the border of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Officially named ‘Colwall Care Home’, the home has been designed by Lawrence...
Marches businesses invited to apply for grants of up to £1million before March deadline
Businesses across the Marches are being urged to move quickly to take advantage of a hugely successful funding programme which has helped create almost 500 new jobs and establish six new businesses. The Business Growth Programme (BGP2) has awarded almost £4.5million...
All Latest News
URGENT Briefing Webinar: What Does the Middle East Conflict Mean for Your Business?
The escalating conflict in the Middle East is already having significant consequences for global energy markets, supply chains, insurance costs and wider commercial risk environments. As the situation continues to evolve, UK businesses need timely, reliable...
From Worcestershire to Düsseldorf: VKF Renzel at EuroShop 2026
EuroShop 2026 was an incredible stage for VKF Renzel to showcase what we do best. Returning to the world’s leading retail trade fair, we were proud to present our latest solutions for entrance areas, POS displays, ESL fixings, shelf optimisation, digital signage, and...
From GCSE Resits to PhD, Worcester Lecturer Champions Diverse Learners
A mother of two who once believed she ‘wasn’t good enough’ for university is now graduating with a PhD that explores how to empower silenced learners. Anastasia Kennett studied for her undergraduate degree in Special Educational Disabilities at the University of...
Occupational Therapy Comes to Local Charity After Staff Member Retrains
A newly trained Occupational Therapist is already making a difference to young people at her Worcestershire workplace, after retraining and reshaping her career. Emma Nokes graduates from the University of Worcester this week with her MSc in Occupational Therapy and...
Introducing Socage UK Ltd – A World-Leading Manufacturer of Chassis & Track-Mounted MEWPs Now Supporting the UK Market
As a new member of the H&W Chamber I would like to introduce Socage UK Ltd. The largest manufacturer in the world of chassis and track mounted MEWPS. Made in Moderna, Italy available around the world and market leader in many countries. Our UK subsidiary is in...
Fresh Uncertainty As New 10 Per Cent Tariff Introduced
Reacting to a new 10 per cent US Tariff being introduced overnight instead of the expected 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “While a new 10 per cent US tariff rate, instead of the threatened 15 per cent, will provide some...
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