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.
Worcester Criminologist Investigates Hate Crime Motivations in New Book Chapter
What goes through the mind of someone who is about to attack a religious space? What led them there, and how can we stop it? Those are just some of the questions an Islamophobia expert from Worcester takes on in his contribution to a new book analysing the mindset of...
Latest Article
Worcester Criminologist Investigates Hate Crime Motivations in New Book Chapter
What goes through the mind of someone who is about to attack a religious space? What led them there, and how can we stop it? Those are just some of the questions an Islamophobia expert from Worcester takes on in his contribution to a new book analysing the mindset of...
Member News
AI EXPERT LAUNCHES TO HELP UK SMEs INTEGRATE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WITHOUT THE RISK
AI Expert has launched in Worcestershire to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt artificial intelligence (AI) without wasting money on unproven technology. Created in response to growing demand from SMEs seeking clarity on how to integrate AI into...
Student Helps Deliver Lecturer’s Baby During Hospital Placement
A routine hospital placement turned into a once-in-a-lifetime moment for a University of Worcester student, who helped deliver her lecturer’s baby. 3rd-year Paramedic Sciences student Elise Faragher was on placement on the Maternity Ward at Worcestershire Royal...
Patron & Strategic News
National Podcast Explores the Story Behind the Hive
The Hive, Worcester’s iconic library, was the subject of discussion on a national podcast examining the importance of libraries and librarians. Campus, the podcast from Times Higher Education, explores the most pressing issues in global high education. In this...
Bishop Fleming Recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women
Bishop Fleming has once again been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women, alongside its ongoing Great Place to Work® accreditation. This achievement highlights the firm’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering...
Chamber News
How the Chamber can support you, when starting a new business.
Starting a new business can be an exciting experience, but knowing how to take the first step can be daunting, especially when you have your business plan ready. At the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, we believe that preparation is key. To...
Business Awards Entries Open Soon!
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards are back Thursday 13th June 2024, at University Arena, Worcester. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire Council, the Awards will welcome over 700 guests from businesses across...
Our Latest Member
Bringing Workwear & Promotional Products to the Chamber!
Alfabet Corporatewear was formed a little under three years ago, and has gone from strength to strength in building our reputation as a leading supplier of Workwear, Uniform, PPE & Promotional goods in the Worcestershire area. Purely made up as a family run...
Bringing Workwear & Promotional Products to the Chamber!
Alfabet Corporatewear was formed a little under three years ago, and has gone from strength to strength in building our reputation as a leading supplier of Workwear, Uniform, PPE & Promotional goods in the Worcestershire area. Purely made up as a family run...
Policy News
Inflation eases further but food prices remain high
Inflation fell below double digits for the first time since August this morning (24/05), according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Inflation was 8.7% in April, down from 10.1% the previous month. However, despite the improvement, the figure is above the...
Unfilled Jobs Still Holding Back Economy
Reacting to the latest ONS Labour Market data issued today, BCC Head of People Policy, Jane Gratton, said: “Skills shortages and unfilled job vacancies are the stark reality for many businesses across all sectors and regions. “We still have more than a million job...
Skills News
Recruitment difficulties increase as demand for labour surges
As the economy recovers from the pandemic, demand for labour has risen significantly. In the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2, in partnership with Bishop Fleming, we found that 51% of local businesses attempted to recruit, up from 38% in Q1. Recent figures...
Quarterly Recruitment Outlook – 70% of businesses face difficulty finding staff
The British Chambers of Commerce today released the results of its Quarterly Recruitment Outlook survey for Q2 2021, with responses drawn from over 5,700 firms. The new figures show a surge in the proportion of firms expecting to grow their workforce in the next 3...
Charity News
Hospice Charity Installs a Garden of Remembrance for the Whole Community this July
Wyre Forest charity KEMP Hospice have launched a garden of celebration and remembrance at Brinton Park, Kidderminster. A collection of butterfly sculptures which supporters have donated and dedicated, has created a stunning art display. Located by the Richard Eve...
ABE Ledbury Lends Support to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
ABE Ledbury has thrown its weight behind an ongoing fundraising campaign to help keep Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s vital pre-hospital emergency service in the air by emblazoning the cause on the back and sides of its new trailer. The specially designed livery...
Vacancies Still Falling As Wages Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This data suggests some loosening in the jobs market with vacancies staying below pre-pandemic levels...
BCC News
Vacancies Still Falling As Wages Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This data suggests some loosening in the jobs market with vacancies staying below pre-pandemic levels...
Worcestershire News
Worcester Graduate Features in National Campaign
A graduate of the University of Worcester has been featured in a national campaign highlighting successful people who were the first in their family to go to university. Kiran Sahota is an award-winning social historian and founder of the community interest company,...
Kudos Blends launches an innovative new website and solutions-based approach to revolutionise the industrial baking industry.
Kudos Blends, the world’s leading manufacturer of industrial baking powders and leavening agents, is delighted to announce the launch of its brand-new website and pioneering solutions-based approach. With the unveiling of our cutting-edge website Kudos Blends is...
Herefordshire News
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Business Enterprise Fund for Herefordshire Businesses is now open
The UKSPF Business Enterprise Fund is a capital grant scheme funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Its aim is to enable Herefordshire businesses to increase their productivity and become more resilient through the adoption of new (to the business) technologies and...
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...
All Latest News
SME Exporters Hit By New US Customs Charges
Responding to President Trump’s decision to charge import duties for low value goods entering the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This development has been coming for several months but is still a major blow to UK exporters to the US. Smaller firms...
Small Business Plan ‘Important Step Forward’
Responding to the launch of the Government’s Small Business Plan, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “This is a much-needed step forward in recognition and support for SMEs, which are the backbone of the UK economy. Late payments, access to finance and...
University a Finalist in National Sustainability Awards
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for a national sustainability award, recognising its efforts to encourage biodiversity and support nature on campus. It has been named a finalist in the Nature Positive category of the Green Gown Awards for improving...
National Podcast Explores the Story Behind the Hive
The Hive, Worcester’s iconic library, was the subject of discussion on a national podcast examining the importance of libraries and librarians. Campus, the podcast from Times Higher Education, explores the most pressing issues in global high education. In this...
Free summer return offer at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating its 60th anniversary by offering summer visitors the chance to come back again for free. The offer is available on all ‘Freedom of the Line’ tickets that are purchased online for travel up to and including Thursday 28 August...
Bishop Fleming Recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women
Bishop Fleming has once again been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women, alongside its ongoing Great Place to Work® accreditation. This achievement highlights the firm’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering...
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