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.
Positive Sex Education Speaker Reveals Statistics That Show Why Consent Education Can’t Wait Until Secondary School
Larissa Astara Gray, Positive Sex Education Speaker, features in the latest episode of Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? podcast – and her opening point alone is likely to surprise most parents. “Positive” in her job title...
Latest Article
Positive Sex Education Speaker Reveals Statistics That Show Why Consent Education Can’t Wait Until Secondary School
Larissa Astara Gray, Positive Sex Education Speaker, features in the latest episode of Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? podcast – and her opening point alone is likely to surprise most parents. “Positive” in her job title...
Member News
The Bearded Plantaholic to Appear at The Hive
A world-renowned author and plant expert is appearing at The Hive this month, where he’ll discuss his book ‘You’re Overwatering It’. Jonny Balchandani, better known to his more than a million followers on social media as the Bearded Plantaholic, will join former BBC...
Platform extension at Kidderminster Town station marks major milestone for Severn Valley Railway
A long-held ambition to extend the platform at the Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Town station has been realised, with the official opening of the newly extended platform taking place today [7 May]. The project has lengthened the platform by approximately 60...
Patron & Strategic News
Wyevale Nurseries offers free expert advice on boosting biodiversity with hedging
GARDENERS, landscapers, local authorities and landowners are being encouraged to boost biodiversity by planting bird friendly hedging – and Wyevale Nurseries is offering free expert guidance to help them get started (April 2026). With 96 years of horticultural...
University of Worcester Shortlisted for Two WhatUni Student Choice Awards
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for two awards in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026: Career Prospects and Halls and Student Accommodation. The shortlistings reflect the University’s strong commitment to providing an outstanding student...
Chamber News
CPTPP – Trade Deal Unlocks New Opportunities for UK Businesses:
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a modern and ambitious trade deal encompassing countries that collectively account for nearly 15% of global GDP. The agreement comes into effect on 15th December, enabling UK traders...
Business Challenges: How the Chamber Supports your Business.
Following the recent budget, businesses may encounter new challenges alongside ongoing pressures from the cost of living and energy crises. The Chamber provides support to help businesses grow and thrive. By conducting local research on key issues, from infrastructure...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Barton Court – Called ‘Herefordshire’s hidden gem’, Barton Court is a compact, historic country estate with a range of spaces and accommodation for business and leisure activities. With three big...
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Barton Court – Called ‘Herefordshire’s hidden gem’, Barton Court is a compact, historic country estate with a range of spaces and accommodation for business and leisure activities. With three big...
Policy 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...
US Trade Deal Provides Welcome Relief
Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. “The reduction in the 25% tariffs on most of our automotive exports and the...
Skills News
Adapting for the future – learning and devoloping talent
Developing people when they aren’t in the room, and budgets and time are in short supply is the big issue right now. 3WH clients were struggling to keep their people engaged and upskilling during the uncertain working patterns and crazy world in which we were working....
Are you struggling to fill vacancies?
Is your business struggling to fill vacancies? Do you have a skills gap? You are invited to the Wychavon District Council annual business ratepayers breakfast meeting to find out from Ben Mannion, Director of Hewett Recruitment & Chamber President, how to solve...
Charity News
Local Charity Expands with the Opening of “Ledbury Two” – A New Chapter in Support for Children and Adults with Neurological Disorders
Located in the heart of Ledbury, Ledbury Two represents a significant expansion for Megan Baker House (MBH), allowing the organisation to reach more families and meet increasing demand for its specialised programmes. The new facility will offer tailored support for...
Property consultancy’s first charity padel tournament raises £6,000
A national property consultancy’s first charity padel tournament raised £6,000 for four charities – and planning for next year’s competition is already underway. Fisher German’s Development Agency team successfully launched its first-ever charity padel...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
Visually Impaired Students Visit to Learn about Transition to University
Visually impaired students from local colleges visited the University of Worcester to find out more about the transition to higher education and things to consider. Students from New College Worcester and the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford attended a...
Minster Micro acquires Software Licences and IP of Darklake Developments
A Worcestershire IT firm has acquired the software licences and technology of a former Devon-based business software provider. Kidderminster-based Minster Micro Computers has completed a deal to take over the intellectual property and bespoke software licences of...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Food Alliance Achieves Bronze Award from Sustainable Food Places
Over 85 diners enjoyed a 3 course meal at The Bookshop Hereford in the last of three “100% Herefordshire” Autumn Feasts on Tuesday 14 November. As well as great local food they were treated to a surprise announcement that the County has achieved a Bronze award from...
Garland Surgical Limited Join the Chamber
Garland Surgical Ltd was founded in early 2022, a collaboration between British-Maltese Entrepreneur Simon Mifsud, Netherlands based Health-Tech Venture Builder NLC and the inventing team from the University of Malta. Garland is dedicated to pioneering innovation in...
All Latest News
Reflections on the WTO talks
The timing of the British Chambers of Commerce Why Trade Matters report and the Driving International Trade Conference could not have been timelier, because MC14 has just shown, in real time, exactly what is at stake. Trade is not some abstract, technocratic concept,...
Ride the rails the ‘hard’ way: exclusive brake van trips at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is offering visitors a rare and thrilling opportunity to experience railway travel from an unusual perspective, with the chance to ride in a heritage goods train brake van during the 2026 Spring Steam Gala. Available on Thursday 16...
Exciting volunteer opportunities in catering at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is inviting enthusiastic new volunteers to join its catering team and become part of the warm, welcoming community that keeps the much-loved heritage line on track. Stretching across 16 scenic miles, the railway is powered not only by steam...
Sustainability Book Series Idea Earns Worcester Students a Big Cash Boost
Two University of Worcester students have scooped a £5,000 cash investment in their business in a Dragon’s Den style event. 3rd year Business Management students Evan Greenlees and Kasra Salehi pitched their idea for the company, Little Guardians, at this year’s BOSS...
Worcester Students Shine in National Live Poetry Contest
University of Worcester students showcased their live poetry talents in a national contest, securing an impressive second place finish. The UniSlam 2026 event saw the best university spoken-word poet teams go head-to-head, performing their own works in a bid to take...
Smarter Supply Chains for UK Businesses
PJB Logistics Solutions Ltd, a recently established consultancy, reflects this growing demand by supporting organisations in identifying inefficiencies and delivering operational improvements. With a focus on hands-on implementation, the business represents a broader...
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