Business Direction Online
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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.
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.
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Latest Article
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Member News
A Decade of Work Pays Off: Aspiring Doctor Earns Gold D of E
A trainee doctor spent an afternoon at Buckingham Palace as he was formally presented with his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 22-year-old Nathan Scott, first year medical student at the University of Worcester, received his Award from His Royal Highness Prince...
Interior design company secures dream home!
Edward Thomas Interiors has purchased a £2m premises in Redditch National interior design company, Edward Thomas Interiors, has successfully purchased a modern new office and warehouse worth more than £2 million to facilitate its ongoing expansion. Working exclusively...
Patron & Strategic News
Scale Smart: Why Growing Businesses Choose to Outsource Payroll Services
That’s why many growing businesses are choosing to outsource their payroll. From saving hours each month to reducing risk and staying compliant, it’s a smart move for scaling success. In our latest article, we cover: · Why in-house payroll becomes a bottleneck · The...
He’s the pinnacle of all that is evil, so why do people seem to like the Devil?
That’s the question being asked in a public talk by a University of Worcester expert in a talk at Script Haven bookshop this week. Professor Darren Oldridge is a specialist in sixteenth and seventeenth-century religious history and has recently given several popular...
Chamber News
Welcome new Members – February
A very warm welcome to our new Members A C Event Catering – A C Event Catering provide a number of catering services to venues and events across the Midlands. They offer full and managed catering services, as well as providing catering and bar services for...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Release the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q4 2024
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q4 2024, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The Quarterly Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of economic data collected from a diverse range...
Our Latest Member
Pineapple Recruitment Marks Second Anniversary with Worcester Office Move
A growing Worcester recruitment firm which provides talent for the catering and hospitality sectors has relocated to new headquarters in the city as it marks its second birthday. Pineapple Recruitment has moved its eight-strong team to the Painting House on Severn...
Pineapple Recruitment Marks Second Anniversary with Worcester Office Move
A growing Worcester recruitment firm which provides talent for the catering and hospitality sectors has relocated to new headquarters in the city as it marks its second birthday. Pineapple Recruitment has moved its eight-strong team to the Painting House on Severn...
Policy News
Labour Market Pressures Bearing Down on Firms
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The labour market continues to be a significant pressure bearing down on businesses of all sizes....
Extent Of US Tariff Impact Revealed
62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will be negatively impacted by US tariffs, compared to 41% with no exposure 32% of firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will increase prices in response to the tariff 44% of firms with exposure to the...
Skills News
Boost Recruitment and Retention with ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is known internationally for helping businesses consistently meet customer requirements but is less known for its other benefits like supporting recruitment and retention. Local ISO experts at ISO Quality Services highlight five ways ISO 9001 could help you...
Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces
Kelly White, Managing Director of Number Fifteen Recruitment, has spent the last three months studying for a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace, and is now sharing best practice with local employers...
Charity News
Worcester kids to benefit from recruitment firm’s Easter Egg generosity
Expert Worcester jobs firm Pineapple Recruitment has donated over 200 Easter eggs to a local foodbank. Staff at the Diglis-based recruiter, which specialises in providing staff for the hospitality and catering industries, have donated the chocolate treats to Worcester...
St Michael’s Hospice seeks Leader of the Future
St Michael’s Hospice says it wants to appoint a leader of the future to work alongside its senior managers. The Bartestree-based charity has launched a search to recruit a graduate to lead on “exciting and innovative projects”. It’s looking for a candidate graduating...
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
BCC News
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
Worcestershire News
SVR Moves Towards a Solution for its Serious Landslip
The Severn Valley Railway is working closely with structural and geotechnical experts to narrow down repair options for the significant landslip it has recently suffered. External experts met yesterday [12 February] with the SVR’s consulting engineer to review the...
National Apprenticeship Week success culminates with launch of 2025 Apprenticeships Awards
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Apprenticeship Week, a successful week of promoting the...
Herefordshire News
Worcestershire Care Home Celebrates Harvest Festival with MacMillan Coffee Morning and Community Donations
Worcestershire Care Home Celebrates Harvest Festival with MacMillan Coffee Morning and Community Donations Dorset House Nursing Home in Droitwich recently celebrated Harvest Festival with a heartwarming community event. The festivities were led by Reverend Giles, who...
Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Path to Net Zero
Educational institutions play a key role in promoting sustainable energy resources. Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Low Carbon Technology Training Centre showcases this approach by offering specialised courses in renewable technologies, which for a...
All Latest News
St Michael’s Hospice Unveils Refreshed Leominster Charity Shop
St Michael’s Hospice is pleased to announce the reopening of its newly transformed Home & Living charity shop in Leominster, following a comprehensive refurbishment aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for the local community. Located at Station Yard, the...
Summit Marks New Beginning
Responding to the deal agreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s summit marks a turning point in UK/EU relations which puts our trade relationship at the forefront of our partnership...
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...
VA Agency Founder Wins Business Award
Naomi Wachner, Founder of VA Agency Calibre Virtual Assistant Services (‘Calibre’), has been announced as winner at the 10th Anniversary Woman Who Achieves Awards, held at the historic Coombe Abbey Hotel in Warwickshire. The Woman Who Achieves Awards were...
mfg Solicitors strengthens Employment team with new partner appointment
Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has announced the appointment of respected employment lawyer Tim Lang as a partner within its award-winning Employment department. With over 30 years’ experience advising businesses and individuals on a range of...
Boost your career and make a difference as a Special Constable
Are you looking to develop your skills, meet new people, and give back to your community? Volunteering as a Special Constable with West Mercia Police could be the unique opportunity you’ve been searching for. Special Constables are volunteer police officers who wear...
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