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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.
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
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...
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Patron & Strategic News
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...
Inspiring Women Take the Stage at Worcester Business School
The successes of women connected to the University of Worcester will be celebrated ahead of International Women’s Day in a special event at Worcester Business School. Held at the University’s City Campus on Friday 6 March, 4.15-7pm, the event will feature talks from...
Chamber News
Chamber Hosts MPQ Sessions for Members Across the Region
On 6 February, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce members had the opportunity to meet with Jesse Norman MP and Ellie Chowns MP during the Chamber’s MPQ sessions. The event offered a valuable forum for businesses across the county to discuss key...
Celebrating Apprenticeships: How TDM and Jess Gladston Champion Lifelong Learning
As we mark the end of National Apprenticeship Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the transformative power of apprenticeships — both for individuals and for businesses. Our patron member, The Development Manager (TDM), has been at the forefront of this movement,...
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
Growth Elusive As Labour Market Loosens
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are strong signs that the labour market is continuing to loosen as wage...
Inflation Eases But Business Costs Still Biting
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “A further easing of inflation, to 3% in January, will be cautiously welcomed by businesses. Firms will be hoping it...
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
KEMP Hospice rated ‘Good’ in all areas following CQC inspection
KEMP Hospice is proud to announce it has received a ‘Good’ rating in all areas following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The report, published on 16 February 2026, highlighted overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients following a...
Mental Health Charity supported by The Signature Awards, Birmingham.
The Kaleidoscope Plus Group (KPG), a local charity who have been championing Mental Health for over 50 years, were the nominated charity for The Signature Awards, which took place at The Vox on Friday 6th February. KPG adopt a proactive approach to raising awareness...
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...
BCC News
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...
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
Free 30-minute parking to be extended to on-street parking in Hereford city centre
Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet has today (Thursday 5 Feb) agreed to extend its planned 30-minute free parking scheme to include on-street parking in Hereford city centre, responding to feedback from local businesses and residents. The decision builds on the Council’s...
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...
All Latest News
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...
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Steam trains set the pace for new multi-sport challenge in the Severn Valley
The Severn Valley Railway is delighted to support an exciting new multi-sport event, Steaming Down the Valley, taking place at Severn Valley Country Park on Saturday 6 June 2026. Hosted by Shropshire Council and organised by a dedicated team of local volunteers, this...
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...
Inspiring Women Take the Stage at Worcester Business School
The successes of women connected to the University of Worcester will be celebrated ahead of International Women’s Day in a special event at Worcester Business School. Held at the University’s City Campus on Friday 6 March, 4.15-7pm, the event will feature talks from...
BCRS Business Loans continues its support for Purple Shoots
BCRS Business Loans is continuing its commitment to boosting micro-entrepreneurship across Wales and the West Midlands, providing more than £41,000 in further funding for Purple Shoots. The latest funding builds on an established partnership between the two...
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