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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.
Recruitment Challenging As New Employment Law Lands
Nearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect,...
Latest Article
Recruitment Challenging As New Employment Law Lands
Nearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect,...
Member News
Orchard Trust Offers New Supported Farm Placements
Lydbrook, Gloucestershire – Orchard Trust is delighted to announce it has secured funding from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation to support the development of their new Supported Farm Placements Programme: specialised Animal Care and Gardening Placements based at...
Severn Valley Railway honoured at Heritage Railway Association awards
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating after receiving the Chairman’s Special Award at the 2026 Heritage Railway Association awards in Llandudno on Saturday 7 March. This was given in recognition of the tremendous team effort by volunteers, staff and partnership...
Patron & Strategic News
Business relief after Government U-turns on day-one unfair dismissal rights
Employment lawyers have reacted positively to the Government’s U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal rights – but urged businesses to seek expert guidance to prepare for wide-ranging workplace reforms. Labour had made a controversial manifesto commitment to offer all...
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Chamber News
Three quarters of firms offer flexible working – but significant sectoral disparities exist
According to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) Insight Unit, the vast majority (76%) of businesses surveyed say they offer flexible working to their employees. The research has been released by the BCC ahead of the Lords’ third reading of the...
BCC Trade Manifesto – International Trade Vital For UK Growth
The British Chambers of Commerce has called for Government to focus on boosting services, advanced manufacturing, green and digital trade if it wants to hit its £1tn trade target. The move comes as research shows SME exports continue to languish: In...
Our Latest Member
Work XP Training Ltd joins the Chamber
Work XP Training Ltd is a local training and work experience provider, based at the Malvern Hills Science Park. Offering a unique combination of workshops, training programmes, online software developer training and work experience packages, starting at just £48 per...
Work XP Training Ltd joins the Chamber
Work XP Training Ltd is a local training and work experience provider, based at the Malvern Hills Science Park. Offering a unique combination of workshops, training programmes, online software developer training and work experience packages, starting at just £48 per...
Policy News
New Engineering Facilities Unveiled in the Heart of Worcester
Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW College) have celebrated the opening of their new engineering facilities located in the Cathedral building in Worcester. The newly refurbished building was finally able to be officially opened following delays due to the Covid-19...
New Survey Invites Opinions on Proposals for Redditch DMIC
Redditch Borough Council have commissioned SQW to carry out a survey to help inform the development of the Redditch Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (DMIC). As a key part of Redditch’s Town Investment Plan, the DMIC aims to become a focal point for...
Skills News
Government releases an introduction for employers to the UK’s points-based immigration system
The Home Office has published an employer’s guide to the new points-based immigration system. It provides an overview of the key changes that the new system will bring for businesses, the steps they can take to prepare and signposts to more detailed information....
Mayor backs training provider call for Midlands community to learn at home!
A Midlands training provider is inviting people in the West Midlands to learn new tech and digital skills during their Covid-19 isolation period and beyond. Through The Development Manager (TDM), learners can undertake any of six fully-funded courses, covering Digital...
Charity News
Chamber Members Team Up to Raise Funds for Charity Business of the Year
The Wyre Forest Business Book club, organised and run by Chamber members Human Everything, has completed it’s first year of book club meetings and is thrilled to be supporting Chamber charity Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation with a donation...
Shoppers Flock to New Hospice Charity Store
CROWDS flocked to the opening of a new hospice charity store in Barnards Green, Malvern, at the weekend. The new St Richard’s Hospice shop at 110 to 112 Barnards Green Road opened to the public on Saturday, December 2. Cutting the ribbon to officially open the shop...
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
Fundraising event at Fusion Salon!
Earlier in the week, our Fusion salon, based in Redditch, took part in the Style Against Cancer for Children with Cancer UK! The Fusion reception was decorated with Style Against Cancer balloons and banners and the Level 2 hair students were offering clients a wash,...
Worcester based Zebravise launches new HR features in its tool for small businesses
Zebravise are excited to announce that we have launched a new version of our online tool for small businesses, that offers a CRM, HR solution, cashflow manager, task management and marketing all in one simple to use tool. The new HR features include the ability to...
Herefordshire News
Courtyard shortlisted for FSB Award for Sustainability
The Courtyard is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2023 in the West Midlands in the Sustainability category. FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) is a non-profit organisation and the UK’s leading business...
You’re invited to Talk Community’s next networking breakfast!
Wednesday 1st March, 2023 8am – 10am Hereford Rugby Football Club, Wyeside, Belvedere Lane, Hereford, HR4 0PH Please book your place here The Connecting Business and Charities breakfast is a unique event for businesses, social enterprises, and voluntary and community...
All Latest News
County Council launches new Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy
Worcestershire County Council has published its new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy, setting out plans to expand access to charging facilities across the county. The strategy follows a countywide engagement exercise where residents and...
Relief On Tax But No Blueprint For Growth
Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The Chancellor has listened to our calls and made the right choice by not piling major new tax rises on businesses’ shoulders, which will...
Autumn Budget 2025 summary: What you need to know
After months of unprecedented and exhausting speculation, policy kite-flying and last-minute U-turns that rattled the markets, Rachel Reeves has finally unveiled her much-anticipated second Budget, delivered as late in the year as politically possible. She faced a...
Recruitment firm donates hundreds of chocolate advent calendars to local foodbank
Ahead of the main festive season, a leading recruitment firm which specialises in talent for the catering and hospitality sectors has donated over 200 chocolate advent calendars to a local foodbank. Staff at jobs specialist Pineapple Recruitment have donated the...
You asked, we listened…and that’s why we’ve designed an app that rewards you every time you visit.
Download, sign up and get your welcome offer straight away: enjoy an iconic Côte Brasserie dish for just £10. Think Bourguignon, Moules, and even breakfast dishes like Smashed Avo Toast, for a tenner! Just look for the Côte Icon sections on our menus and bring your...
ROXEL UK CELEBRATES COURTNEY RICHARD’S DOUBLE WIN AT WORCESTERSHIRE APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS
Roxel UK is proud to announce that Research and Technology Engineer Courtney Richards has been honoured with two prestigious accolades at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. Held on 13th November at the West Midlands Safari Park. Courtney Richards...
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