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.
Ten Years of Smarter Energy: Solar Select Marks a Decade in Business!
Managing Director Terry Hayward reflects on how much the sector has changed since the company was founded: “When I started Solar Select, the solar industry was very different. Today, with the introduction of multiple manufacturing brands such as Sigenergy, Duracell...
Latest Article
Ten Years of Smarter Energy: Solar Select Marks a Decade in Business!
Managing Director Terry Hayward reflects on how much the sector has changed since the company was founded: “When I started Solar Select, the solar industry was very different. Today, with the introduction of multiple manufacturing brands such as Sigenergy, Duracell...
Member News
Ten Years of Smarter Energy: Solar Select Marks a Decade in Business!
Managing Director Terry Hayward reflects on how much the sector has changed since the company was founded: “When I started Solar Select, the solar industry was very different. Today, with the introduction of multiple manufacturing brands such as Sigenergy, Duracell...
Neurodiversity in Business: What’s Shifting in 2026
As we move into 2026, the conversation around neurodiversity in business is changing. For years, workplace approaches have leaned heavily on labels and late-stage interventions – responding once someone is already struggling, burnt out, or disengaged....
Patron & Strategic News
Personal injury specialist urges patients to come forward after chemotherapy scare
Victims of a cancer specialist under investigation for prescribing a toxic chemotherapy drug are being urged to seek legal help. More than 20 patients are suing University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust after claiming they were given unnecessary...
University of Worcester Secures Early Approval for Seventh Help to Grow Management Cohort
The University of Worcester has been granted early approval to deliver the latest cohort of the government-funded Help to Grow Management programme. The course, offered by Worcester Business School at the University of Worcester, is a 12-week programme designed to...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce becomes a Certified B Corporation
The Chamber joins the growing movement of companies using business as a force for good. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has today announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing movement of companies that are...
Eight days left to file your Self Assessment
Eight days until 31 January Self Assessment deadline Miss the deadline and you may face an automatic £100 penalty File your return now at GOV.UK and pay any tax due by 31 January – help and support available online With just over a week until the Self Assessment...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | January
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout January: Hereford Voice — local news and community interest site covering events and stories in Herefordshire. Pure Staff — recruitment and staffing agency specialising in placing temporary and permanent...
Welcome New Members | January
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout January: Hereford Voice — local news and community interest site covering events and stories in Herefordshire. Pure Staff — recruitment and staffing agency specialising in placing temporary and permanent...
Policy News
Eight days left to file your Self Assessment
Eight days until 31 January Self Assessment deadline Miss the deadline and you may face an automatic £100 penalty File your return now at GOV.UK and pay any tax due by 31 January – help and support available online With just over a week until the Self Assessment...
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Skills News
Worcestershire celebrates outstanding success at Annual Apprenticeship Awards
Worcestershire celebrated its commitment to developing local talent and skills at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on Thursday 13 November. Now in their eleventh year of the Apprenticeships Awards, the 2025 celebrations continued to recognise the amazing...
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...
Charity News
Introducing Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO)
Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO) is a local charity working to reduce waste, support households in need, and keep reusable goods and materials in circulation across the county. We joined the Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce with a clear purpose:...
Massive new superstore with thousands of bargains on Bescot retail park
A massive new Acorns superstore has opened its doors in Walsall – the charity’s first ever store on a retail park – featuring a huge range of furniture and a dedicated book reading area. Thousands of items have been stacked on the shelves including pre-loved clothes,...
Planning System Putting the Brakes on Growth
Economic growth is still being constrained by a planning system in England that is ‘too slow, under resourced and unpredictable’, according to a new British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) report. The report, Planning for Business and Growth, says that while recent...
BCC News
Planning System Putting the Brakes on Growth
Economic growth is still being constrained by a planning system in England that is ‘too slow, under resourced and unpredictable’, according to a new British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) report. The report, Planning for Business and Growth, says that while recent...
Worcestershire News
Invitation for amateur musicians to be part of this year’s Elgar Festival
Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced an opportunity for musicians of all ages to be part a very special project. The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday...
Start Now: Make 2026 a really BIG year
As the busiest season of the year approaches, you might be looking at the next few weeks with mixed feelings — hoping for strong sales but wishing you’d had more time to put new ideas, promotions or partnerships in place. Or perhaps you’re already feeling the strain...
Herefordshire News
Community generosity at Christmas helps Herefordshire families
As families across Herefordshire face increasing pressure, a series of quiet but meaningful acts of generosity by business and individuals are helping to support those most in need through local charity Vennture. With demand for emergency accommodation and family...
Mandatory certification requirements for professional rodenticide purchase came into force January 1, 2026 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
PGM Pest Control is urging UK businesses, farmers, and pest control professionals to review their rodent management following major regulatory changes that came into force on 1 January 2026 under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime. The updated rules mean that...
All Latest News
Ten Years of Smarter Energy: Solar Select Marks a Decade in Business!
Managing Director Terry Hayward reflects on how much the sector has changed since the company was founded: “When I started Solar Select, the solar industry was very different. Today, with the introduction of multiple manufacturing brands such as Sigenergy, Duracell...
Neurodiversity in Business: What’s Shifting in 2026
As we move into 2026, the conversation around neurodiversity in business is changing. For years, workplace approaches have leaned heavily on labels and late-stage interventions – responding once someone is already struggling, burnt out, or disengaged....
PGM Pest Control Publishes Herefordshire Pest Activity Data Analysis Report 2025
PGM Pest Control has released its Herefordshire Pest Activity Data Analysis Report 2025, identifying the most prevalent pest issues across the county based on recorded treatment data. Key Findings: Rodents — 48% Wasps — 15% Carpet beetles — 6% Bed bugs — 6% Woodworm —...
Severn Valley Railway freezes fares for 2026 to deliver outstanding value to visitors
The Severn Valley Railway has announced that its 2026 fares will be frozen at 2025 prices. This reaffirms the railway’s commitment to offering great-value heritage experiences in an increasingly competitive tourism market. The fare freeze includes Freedom of the Line...
Personal injury specialist urges patients to come forward after chemotherapy scare
Victims of a cancer specialist under investigation for prescribing a toxic chemotherapy drug are being urged to seek legal help. More than 20 patients are suing University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust after claiming they were given unnecessary...
University of Worcester Secures Early Approval for Seventh Help to Grow Management Cohort
The University of Worcester has been granted early approval to deliver the latest cohort of the government-funded Help to Grow Management programme. The course, offered by Worcester Business School at the University of Worcester, is a 12-week programme designed to...
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