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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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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...
Latest Article
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...
Member News
NMITE AND THE BRITISH ARMY UNVEIL DETAIL OF THE NEW UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS
Event attended by Al Carns MP, Minister for the Armed Forces 21 January 2026 – Following on from the December announcement of its new Autonomous Robotics degree, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) hosted an event today in conjunction...
Ballards strengthens private client capability with senior tax partner hire
(from left to right): Tim Lynch, Private Client Tax Partner, Martin Adams, Head of tax. Ballards LLP has appointed Tim Lynch as Private Client Tax Partner, strengthening its senior advisory capability as part of the firm’s long term growth strategy across...
Patron & Strategic News
Key Employment Law Updates: Autumn 2025
1. Fire and Rehire – Government Softens Proposed BanThe Employment Rights Bill continues to target “fire and rehire” tactics, where employers dismiss staff to impose new terms. Dismissals linked to restricted variations (e.g. reductions in pay, hours, pensions, or...
Chambers & Partners success for law firm’s Employment team
The Employment and HR Services department from Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has been ranked in the prestigious 2026 UK Chambers & Partners Guide. Regarded as one of the legal sector’s most trusted measures of quality, Chambers & Partners is an...
Chamber News
Inflation eases but rising prices increase pressure on businesses
UK inflation has eased in March, however rising food prices has meant inflation remains higher than expected above 10%, adding to the speculation that the Bank of England will raise interest rates again on Thursday. According to data released from the Office for...
Labour market struggles continue, according to the Office for National Statistics
The UK continues to struggle with labour shortages despite the estimated number of vacancies falling on the quarter, data released today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown. April’s labour market overview revealed that between January and March...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Nicole’s Bistro
We are proud to announce the opening of a brand new Bistro in the heart of Bromsgrove Town Centre. Nicole’s Bistro opened in October 2022 and offers delicious fresh cooked food as well as being fully licensed for alcoholic beverages too. The 5 Star Hygiene rated...
Introducing Nicole’s Bistro
We are proud to announce the opening of a brand new Bistro in the heart of Bromsgrove Town Centre. Nicole’s Bistro opened in October 2022 and offers delicious fresh cooked food as well as being fully licensed for alcoholic beverages too. The 5 Star Hygiene rated...
Policy News
A summary of today’s health and social care announcement
The NHS is getting £36bn over the next three years “to fund the biggest catch-up programme in the NHS’s history, tackling the Covid backlogs.” Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson, MP, said: “The pandemic has illuminated chronic problems in our health and...
UK vacancies at record level – but biggest test yet to come for businesses
Recently released data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests the labour market is continuing its strong recovery from the economic shock caused by the pandemic. UK job vacancies have risen to record levels, with 953,000 in the three months to July....
Skills News
Entries open for Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2020!
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council have announced that entries are now open for the popular Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2020. The Awards celebrate the most successful apprentices, schools, careers leads, training...
£23.5 million funding programme helping companies grow
A £23.5m funding pot for businesses across the Marches is delivering real results for small and medium-sized companies across the region, the chair of the Marches Growth Hub said today. Paul Hinkins said the ERDF Business Growth Programme 2 had already helped a number...
Charity News
St Richard’s Hospice Asks County to Help Shape Charity Shops’ Future
St Richard’s Hospice is launching an audience research study to gather valuable insights into its charity shops and ensure its continued success. The study, conducted in collaboration with HemingwayDesign, aims to future-proof this vital source of income for the...
St Michael’s Hospice to open shop in Monmouth
St Michael’s Hospice will open its first-ever shop in Monmouth in the coming days. The Bartestree-based charity, which recently opened a new store in Ross-on-Wye, will move into a unit on Agincourt Square. The charity is inviting supporters to attend the official...
EU Reset Must Cut Shackles From Business
The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for Monday’s EU reset summit to mark a sea change in the UK’s trade relationship with Europe so business can prosper. The BCC wants to see seven vital changes made to the Brexit deal which are based on its four years of...
BCC News
EU Reset Must Cut Shackles From Business
The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for Monday’s EU reset summit to mark a sea change in the UK’s trade relationship with Europe so business can prosper. The BCC wants to see seven vital changes made to the Brexit deal which are based on its four years of...
Worcestershire News
Finalists, Celebrity Host and Sponsors confirmed for Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The Worcestershire Apprenticeships Hub has confirmed exciting news for their 2023 annual awards evening, taking place later this year on 16 November. Comedian, performer and TV and radio star, Lucy Porter, has been confirmed as the host for this year’s Worcestershire...
Gardeners can now Buy Bare Root Hedging Direct from Growers Online
A TOP British nursery has launched a new website selling bare root hedging to gardeners while also allowing them to access the business’ decades of horticultural expertise in one hit (September 2023). Wyevale Nurseries’ new website www.wyevalehedges.co.uk was born out...
Herefordshire News
Fearless February for 2Faced Dance
2Faced Dance are an artistic cultural organisation based in the centre of Hereford, of nearly 25 years’ standing. A workplace of permanent staff, a home to freelance artists, a space for 20 other community arts and dance organisations, a place to dream for 500...
Healthwatch making a difference in Herefordshire
Healthwatch Herefordshire is looking forward to another productive year as the people’s champion for health and care services. Building on the premise that the patient and community voice should be at the centre of health and care services being delivered,...
All Latest News
Maylite Trading Estate welcomes RD Physio
We’re absolutely delighted to welcome RD Physio to Maylite Trading Estate in Martley! Previously based in Worcester, Radu has signed a 9-year lease with us and has transformed his new unit into a modern physiotherapy clinic — complete with state-of-the-art equipment,...
Mental Elf 2025 Kidderminster
About this event Holiday • Christmas Held at the stunning Bodenham Arboretum in Kidderminster, this event isn’t just about raising funds, it’s about bringing our community together and shining a light on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, especially during...
We don’t need to do brand building – or do we?
It is a phrase often heard in business circles, “we don’t need to do brand building” but here’s the reality: it’s not an option. It’s not about ‘needing’ to build the brand, it’s whether you’re going to actively shape and exploit your brand or leave it to chance. What...
Event marks milestones at law firm
Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors held its latest ‘Law and Order’ networking event for professionals across the region. The event, held at Worcester’s Piston Distillery, celebrated partner and chairman Iain Morrison who has marked 30 years at the firm, whilst...
The Key Safe Company to Showcase World’s Most Secure Key Safe in Live Attack Tests at International Security Expo
A specialist in access management hopes to use this week’s International Security Expo in London to demonstrate that not all key safes are equal. Worcester-based The Key Safe Company will once again put its ark Tamo Pro under intense duress when it goes under attack...
Hunger doesn’t wait until Christmas – ISO Quality Services Launches 8th Bingo Box Challenge
ISO Quality Services has launched its eighth annual Christmas Bingo Box Challenge, calling on local people and businesses across Worcestershire to support families facing hunger this winter. Demand for food banks remains at record levels, with the Trussell Trust...
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