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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.
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...
Latest Article
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...
Member News
Students Earn Choreography Commission with Worcester Theatre
Two talented dance students will take centre stage at Worcester’s Swan Theatre after securing a prestigious paid commission for their work. Maisey Tromans and Ruby Brown are both in the first year of their Dance and Performance degree at the University of Worcester...
Marmalade sandwiches at the ready – Paddington™ to visit the Severn Valley Railway in February
There’ll be plenty of family fun at the Severn Valley Railway, with appearances from the much-loved character Paddington™ on Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 February 2026. Families can take an exciting heritage train ride out to The Engine House, Highley, see Paddington™...
Patron & Strategic News
Regional Education Leaders Applaud University of Worcester’s Shortlisting for Top UK Award
Senior education leaders across the West Midlands have praised the University of Worcester after it was named a finalist for the Times Higher Education University of the Year Award. The University is one of just six on the shortlist for the prestigious award, widely...
University Links up with Birmingham Panthers to Host Netball Development Hub
Ambitious netballers can hone their skills for the elite level as the University of Worcester prepares to host a new young adult training and development hub for Netball Super League franchise Birmingham Panthers. The University will host a Panthers Under 23 hub for...
Chamber News
Enigma & Spring Lane Sustainability Forum
Enigma & Spring Lane are pleased to invite you to their 3rd FREE sustainability forum. Wednesday 19th April 15:00-17:00 Tea and Coffee Provided Eden Church, Grovewood Road, Malvern, WR14 1GD The forum aims to: raise awareness amongst local businesses and their...
The Chamber Business Manifesto 2023/24 is here!
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have released their Business Manifesto 2023/24. The publication outlines our plans for the next financial year detailing the priorities for local and national government, as identified by local businesses during...
Our Latest Member
The Business of Mindfulness Limited joins the Chamber!
The Business of Mindfulness has been created to provide training to companies who are looking to help their employees be more resilient and better equipped to deal with today’s changing world? Do you have more of your people absent with sickness due to stress and...
The Business of Mindfulness Limited joins the Chamber!
The Business of Mindfulness has been created to provide training to companies who are looking to help their employees be more resilient and better equipped to deal with today’s changing world? Do you have more of your people absent with sickness due to stress and...
Policy News
Retraining essential as 1 in 5 firms consider redundancies post-furlough
The BCC has called for government to extend skills training as new research showed nearly 1 in 5 companies are considering staff redundancies as the next phase of furlough tapering begins. With older workers much more likely to still be on furlough, there is...
Increased furlough contribution to test business resilience
This week employers who are claiming furlough pay for their workers now will have to pay 20% towards the subsidised wages as the Job Retention Scheme continues to gradually wind down. Figures published in July show the fewest number of people on furlough since the...
Skills News
The Importance of preparing our future workforce
Photo Caption: Current apprentices of the Herefordshire Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce together with past apprentices who have continued their journey at the Chamber together with Dawn Hardman, Director of HR. As we enter a new decade, demographic, technological...
BCC comments on National Apprenticeship Week
Commenting on National Apprenticeship Week 2020, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Head of People Policy, Jane Gratton, said: “Businesses support the drive for more and better apprenticeships, but the system needs urgent reform if they are to help our workforce reach...
Charity News
Worcestershire Breast Unit welcomes metastatic Kate Nurse
The Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven charity, the only breast cancer charity in Worcestershire, has announced that it is funding a newly created nursing role caring specifically for patients in Worcestershire with stage 4 breast cancer. This nurse is being funded for...
Vamos Theatre Tours Sharing Joy, a colourful, interactive performance, to local care homes.
Worcester-based Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is to take its popular show, Sharing Joy, out on the road this June to visit care homes and other venues in Worcestershire. Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance...
Pace of Immigration Changes Must Work for Business
Responding to the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses are keen to unlock more home-grown talent and will welcome the broad direction of travel in today’s White...
BCC News
Pace of Immigration Changes Must Work for Business
Responding to the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses are keen to unlock more home-grown talent and will welcome the broad direction of travel in today’s White...
Worcestershire News
Invitational Franchise Roundtable Lunch
In conjunction with Knights Plc & NatWest, we’d like to invite franchisors and franchisees to a roundtable lunch event as follows; Venue – Knights Plc, Two Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX (easily accessible from New Street or Snowhill stations)...
Japanese Professor’s Year in Worcester Learning about British Law
An academic from Japan has spent a year at the University of Worcester learning about British law. Professor Ning Han is the second member of staff from Toin University in Yokohama to take part in an exchange programme between the two universities. She spent a year...
Herefordshire News
What is an LSIP?
What is an LSIP? Further to the Government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper (January 2021), Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIPs) were created to put employers more firmly at the heart of the skills system to help ensure businesses and people have the skills they need to...
Marches LEP launches £1.5million energy grants scheme – with £20,000 per business available
A new £1.5million scheme to help businesses improve their energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions has been launched by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The Marches Energy Grant is open to all businesses in the region and offers a free energy...
All Latest News
TSR Delivers Rapid Response at Heart of Worcestershire College After Flood
Students and staff at the Heart of Worcestershire College in Redditch are set to return to fully equipped classrooms after an internal flood disrupted lessons earlier this month. Thanks to the rapid response of mechanical and electrical specialists TSR, essential...
Worcestershire Area Council Updates for September
FINANCE SECTOR The revised FRS 102, effective January 2026, introduces significant changes including full balance sheet recognition of leases in line with IFRS 16, a new five-step revenue model aligned with IFRS 15, and fair value guidance via Section 2A based on IFRS...
Herefordshire Area Council Updates for September
SPORTS AND LEISURE SECTOR Prices remain stable, and the UK-India trade deal should benefit us, though its start date is unclear. We import heavily from India, with low duties on equestrian gear but higher on footwear and clothing. Europe is our weakest market after...
Student to Represent England on World Stage
A University of Worcester student is set to represent her country at the first-ever women’s blind football world championship. Alice Hopkins has been selected for the England women’s blind football squad competing at the IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation)...
Cutting Energy Waste in Compressed Air Systems
Compressed air is often called the “fourth utility” in manufacturing, but it is also one of the most energy-intensive. Industry studies suggest that as much as 30% of compressed air generated is wasted through leaks, poor system design, or inefficient equipment. For...
Upper Teme Business Park officially launches, boosting local business opportunities in Tenbury Wells
Tenbury Wells celebrated a significant milestone in its economic regeneration as Upper Teme Business Park officially opened its doors on Friday 19th October 2025. Stuart Anderson MP cut the ceremonial red tape, marking the launch of this state-of-the-art commercial...
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