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.
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
Latest Article
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
Member News
6 Practical Ways to Prevent Unpaid Invoices in Your Business with Talbots Collect.
Getting paid on time is essential to maintaining healthy cash flow. That’s why we launched Talbots Collect, a new debt recovery solution offering transparent fixed-fee pricing and commercially focused support to help businesses recover outstanding debts quickly and...
Community Power Celebrate Mayor’s Charity Partnership
Community Power and Lee’s Place were recently honoured to attend the Mayor Making Ceremony in Hereford for the installation of the 645th Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Cat Hornsey. The event was a celebration of community, partnership, and civic pride, bringing...
Patron & Strategic News
Are You Being Watched? Expert Lifts the Lid on Modern Surveillance and How it Shapes our Behaviour
A free public talk at The Hive will examine the way our lives are being recorded, tracked, and analysed, from the moment we unlock our phones to the photos we share online; often without us realising it. The free talk on surveillance society will be delivered by Dr...
mfg Solicitors strengthens Private Client team with new appointment
Law firm mfg Solicitors has appointed a senior associate to its Private Client team in Worcester. The Tything-based firm has announced specialist solicitor Claire Pope has joined the team, supporting clients on a wide range of matters, including the drafting of wills,...
Chamber News
Cutting Costs, Creating Culture
Recruiting can be difficult. Really difficult, at times. With the myriad of recruitment and selection opportunities available to hiring managers, the process can easily get costly, both financially and on the increasingly limited time resources of a HR team. You...
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! A Plan Insurance – A-Plan provide “car, home, van” and a range of other insurance services. They are passionate about client service, and believe that the best way to support you and deliver real...
Our Latest Member
New Member Profile: Introducing CraftAndSew!
CraftAndSew is a small freelance service crafting a variety of handmade items. Situated in the heart of Stourport on Severn, they offer a bespoke service which, depending on the requirements, offers some personalisation as a nice individual touch. It also has a small...
New Member Profile: Introducing CraftAndSew!
CraftAndSew is a small freelance service crafting a variety of handmade items. Situated in the heart of Stourport on Severn, they offer a bespoke service which, depending on the requirements, offers some personalisation as a nice individual touch. It also has a small...
Policy News
Specialist Professional Advisor Programme set to return for a third time
The Worcestershire Growth Hub has confirmed that the Specialist Professional Advisor Programme is back for a third wave. This programme allows businesses to access specialist advice from professional external experts. These specialist advisors will be able to help and...
BCC Economic Forecast: New PM must act as UK economy set for recession before year end
The BCC expects the UK economy to plunge into recession before the end of 2022, with inflation spiking to 14% and lingering weakness in growth expected to continue into 2024 UK Economic Outlook – 2022 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has again downgraded its...
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
Countdown to this year’s annual Elgar Festival
Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer are counting down the days until the event. The Elgar Festival’s 2024 event will take place between Monday 27 May and Sunday 2 June. The Festival – which was launched...
The Courtyard Announces Ambitious LED Lighting Project to Enhance the Performance Spaces and Substantially Reduce its Carbon Footprint
The Courtyard is thrilled to unveil its latest initiative to bring vibrant low-energy lighting to its performance spaces through the installation of 140, eco-friendly LED lights. This innovative lighting project promises endless possibilities for creative expression,...
UK Risks Falling Behind In Race To Net Zero
The UK risks falling behind in the global green innovation race because of significant barriers to low-carbon investment, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Research by McKinsey suggests the net zero transition could be worth over £1 trillion to...
BCC News
UK Risks Falling Behind In Race To Net Zero
The UK risks falling behind in the global green innovation race because of significant barriers to low-carbon investment, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Research by McKinsey suggests the net zero transition could be worth over £1 trillion to...
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
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
‘Made In Europe’ Plan Could Upend EU Reset
The British Chambers of Commerce has warned the UK could be sleepwalking into a legislative nightmare, which could upend the EU Reset, unless urgent action is taken. The EU is currently pursuing a Made In Europe agenda which aims to protect its industries from unfair...
Disruption Inevitable If Conflict Sustained
Commenting on the immediate impact on businesses of the US and Israeli combat operations in Iran and its military retaliation, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “There will be huge uncertainty for businesses as the situation in Iran and the wider...
Ministerial visit to Kidderminster sites shines spotlight on apprentices
Specsavers Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) welcomed Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, to Lens Online and International Glazing Services (IGS) during National Apprenticeship Week on Friday 13 February. During the visit, Minister Smith met more than...
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Steam trains set the pace for new multi-sport challenge in the Severn Valley
The Severn Valley Railway is delighted to support an exciting new multi-sport event, Steaming Down the Valley, taking place at Severn Valley Country Park on Saturday 6 June 2026. Hosted by Shropshire Council and organised by a dedicated team of local volunteers, this...
Energy Costs Continue to Spark Business Concern
Over a quarter of businesses (27%) say they are currently finding it difficult to pay their energy bills, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC survey of over 600 firms shows energy costs are particularly challenging for...
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