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.
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training opportunities
We’re excited to share that new fully funded suicide prevention training sessions are now open for booking! Please pass this on to your networks and local groups across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Suicide First Aid Lite – Fully Funded Online Training Five...
Latest Article
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training opportunities
We’re excited to share that new fully funded suicide prevention training sessions are now open for booking! Please pass this on to your networks and local groups across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Suicide First Aid Lite – Fully Funded Online Training Five...
Member News
Santa Steam Specials are ‘huge success’ at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway welcomed hundreds of passengers to Kidderminster last weekend [29 and 30 November] to board the brand-new Santa Steam Specials. After spending time in the winter wonderland of the station concourse, families were whisked away on board a...
Triple heritage awards shortlisting for the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating after being shortlisted in three categories of the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2026, the biggest and most respected accolades in the heritage rail sector. The SVR has been named as a finalist for: • The Rolling...
Patron & Strategic News
Game Art Lecturer nominated for Women in Games Award
A University of Worcester lecturer has been nominated for an award for her impact and contributions to education through preparing students for the computer gaming industry. Zara Sharma, Senior Lecturer in Game Art, has been shortlisted for the Educational Impact...
Student’s Guidance to Ensure Men with Eating Disorders don’t Feel Alienated from Seeking Help
A University of Worcester student has created bespoke guidance to help ensure that men with eating disorders feel able to engage with the support they need. George Mycock, who himself experienced eating disorders and body image concerns for over a decade, developed...
Chamber News
Chairs Report March 23
Planning for the future Following the challenges of recovering from the pandemic, inflation is now becoming the largest threat to business. We face continued challenges around labour shortages, supply chains, raw material availability and energy costs will drive price...
Spring Budget 2023
Spring Budget 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his Spring Budget to Parliament yesterday (15 March). In the 2023 Budget, the Chancellor made it a priority to tackle inflation, attributing it to ongoing economic challenges. The highlight of the budget for...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Seetec Pluss to the Chamber
Recruit and retain staff with Seetec Pluss. Seetec Pluss is a leading provider of employment services, inspiring thousands of people to find and progress in work each year. Working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), our bespoke...
Introducing Seetec Pluss to the Chamber
Recruit and retain staff with Seetec Pluss. Seetec Pluss is a leading provider of employment services, inspiring thousands of people to find and progress in work each year. Working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), our bespoke...
Policy News
UK trade data reveals decline in services imports and exports
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released new data about UK services trade over the past couple of years. The data shows that UK service exports and imports have declined since Quarter 1 2019, with EU trade falling more than non-EU trade. In Quarter 1...
Government’s Innovation Strategy aims to boost UK productivity
On 22 July, the government published their Innovation Strategy. The strategy aims to boost private sector investment in R&D across the whole of the UK and make the UK a global hub for innovation. The strategy consists of plans in four areas, which will support the...
Skills News
BCC comments on Migration Advisory Committee’s report
Commenting on the release of the Migration Advisory Committee’s report on the UK’s immigration system, published today, BCC Head of People Policy Jane Gratton said: “Businesses want a flexible immigration system that provides access to the staff they need, without...
Worcestershire Business Community shows support for National Apprenticeship Week
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council are joining the annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships across England. From Monday 3 February through to Sunday 9 February as part of the National Apprenticeship Week 2020, the...
Charity News
Alzheimer’s Research UK chosen as Thursfields’ charity of the year for 2023-24
Leading Midlands law firm Thursfields Solicitors has selected Alzheimer’s Research UK its charity of the year for 2023-24. Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to funding diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure of the...
MP set to stride out over hills for hospice care
Worcester MP Robin Walker is set to stride out 11 miles across the Malvern Hills to raise money for a county hospice in memory of his father, Peter. Mr Walker will be joining 140 other walkers who are taking on the St Richard’s Hospice Malvern Hills Walk on Saturday,...
UK Tariff Pause Will Help Business and Consumers
Responding to the news that the UK Global Tariff is being paused on dozens of products, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Tariffs are an additional cost burden that often have to be absorbed by firms or picked up by...
BCC News
UK Tariff Pause Will Help Business and Consumers
Responding to the news that the UK Global Tariff is being paused on dozens of products, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Tariffs are an additional cost burden that often have to be absorbed by firms or picked up by...
Worcestershire News
Love it or List it
Lee and Mair Whittington are bringing their experience in buying and selling houses to anyone thinking of facing the challenges of making a move. When you’ve moved house over twenty times, you’re going to know a thing or two about the property market. Going through...
County IT expert to take on Worcester 10k for Cancer Research
A Worcestershire IT specialist is set to take part in this month’s Worcester 10k to raise money for the Cancer Research charity. Paul Taylor, head of sales at Kidderminster IT firm Minster Micro, is taking part in the city’s popular race after running the half...
Herefordshire News
New operator appointed for Shell Store Business Centre
Hereford’s first dedicated business incubation centre is entering an exciting new phase in 2023 after a new operator was appointed to manage The Shell Store. The building, on Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, has been a huge success since its formal opening in...
The Courtyard welcome a new Chair of the Board
The Courtyard is pleased to announce that Bruce Freeman has taken over as Chair of the Board. Bruce has been a member of The Courtyard Board for four years, and replaces previous Chair Joanna Cobb, who held the position for three years before retiring in November...
All Latest News
Worcester Ready for Clearing
As A-Level Results Day approaches, the University of Worcester is expecting to be inundated with calls as people look for places on courses through Clearing. Clearing at universities is the process where students are matched with available places on courses. Last year...
73082 ‘Camelot’ confirmed for SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed that BR Standard Class 5 73082 ‘Camelot’ will join the line-up for its Autumn Steam Gala between 18 and 21 September It’s the first time this locomotive has ever visited the railway, and organisers says it will work alongside...
DJH welcomes historic Midlands practice Nicklin to Group
DJH is excited to announce the addition of a historic accountancy practice to its rapidly expanding group, as it takes another step towards becoming one of the top 20 UK firms in this sector. The group, which now employs more than 600 people across thirteen offices in...
University Expert’s Talk Explores History of Witchcraft
Two rare Elizabethan texts will be on show during a talk on witchcraft by a University of Worcester historian, as part of Worcester Cathedral’s MedievalFest next week. Professor of Early Modern History, Darren Oldridge, will speak on ‘Witchcraft and Religion in...
Worcestershire businesses urged to ‘power up’ productivity and plug skills gaps with Skills Bootcamps
Businesses across Worcestershire are being urged to take advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training programmes designed to upskill staff, fill skills gaps, and support long-term growth. Funded by the Department for Education and managed locally by...
Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
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