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.
Local communication specialist helping businesses communicate more clearly with their people
Internal communication specialist Caroline Waddams is launching a series of free webinars to help small and medium-sized businesses take a more strategic approach to communicating with employees. The webinars will take place on 24 June and 29 July and are free to...
Latest Article
Local communication specialist helping businesses communicate more clearly with their people
Internal communication specialist Caroline Waddams is launching a series of free webinars to help small and medium-sized businesses take a more strategic approach to communicating with employees. The webinars will take place on 24 June and 29 July and are free to...
Member News
Shakespeare Circle Launches in Worcester After Hit Hive Events
A new group is launching in Worcester to help people explore the works of William Shakespeare through play, interaction and discussion. The Shakespeare Circle at The Hive launches on 21 April, 6.30pm-8pm aligning with the celebrations of the playwright’s birthday...
Top Insurance Employer Award for Sutcliffe & Co for fourth year running
Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers are celebrating being named a ‘Top Insurance Employer 2026’ by Insurance Business UK (IBUK) Magazine for the fourth year in a row. These established awards highlight excellence within the insurance industry, naming standout...
Patron & Strategic News
Business School’s Recognition for its Support of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
The University of Worcester’s Business School’s work to support local businesses has helped it to secure re-accreditation of its Small Business Charter. The national accreditation is awarded to business schools which demonstrate excellence and impact in supporting...
DRP secures CCS framework appointment to deliver major Government events
Worcestershire, UK – Tuesday 27 January 2026, DRP UK known as DRPG has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) RM6364 Media and Creative Services framework on Lot 6 (Events). This appointment reinforces DRP’s position as a national delivery...
Chamber News
Chair’s Report
The British Chambers of Commerce continue to command the attention of the UK’s political and economic leaders as the BCC demonstrates leadership in support of UK Plc, across the full breadth of the country’s business community. As such, I was delighted to be a part of...
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...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Nicole’s Bistro
We are proud to announce the opening of a brand new Bistro in the heart of Bromsgrove Town Centre. Nicole’s Bistro opened in October 2022 and offers delicious fresh cooked food as well as being fully licensed for alcoholic beverages too. The 5 Star Hygiene rated...
Introducing Nicole’s Bistro
We are proud to announce the opening of a brand new Bistro in the heart of Bromsgrove Town Centre. Nicole’s Bistro opened in October 2022 and offers delicious fresh cooked food as well as being fully licensed for alcoholic beverages too. The 5 Star Hygiene rated...
Policy News
Latest Quarterly Economic Report provides snapshot of business performance during final months of 2021
Today the latest Quarterly Economic Report has been released, providing the most up to date snapshot of local business performance and confidence. The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) has been conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce within its UK network since...
The UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021 – new guidance
The UK government has made a significant upgrade to investment screening, for national security purposes. The National Security and Investment Act (NSI) ensures predictability and transparency, while mitigating any risks to national security. The new system will come...
Skills News
The Importance of preparing our future workforce
Photo Caption: Current apprentices of the Herefordshire Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce together with past apprentices who have continued their journey at the Chamber together with Dawn Hardman, Director of HR. As we enter a new decade, demographic, technological...
BCC comments on National Apprenticeship Week
Commenting on National Apprenticeship Week 2020, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Head of People Policy, Jane Gratton, said: “Businesses support the drive for more and better apprenticeships, but the system needs urgent reform if they are to help our workforce reach...
Charity News
Shoppers Flock to New Hospice Charity Store
CROWDS flocked to the opening of a new hospice charity store in Barnards Green, Malvern, at the weekend. The new St Richard’s Hospice shop at 110 to 112 Barnards Green Road opened to the public on Saturday, December 2. Cutting the ribbon to officially open the shop...
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Launches Festive Appeal to Raise £20,000 this Christmas
Charity launches Festive Appeal to raise £20,000 this Christmas to provide 20 more day beds for hospitals’ Palliative and End of Life Care Team Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to providing high quality supportive care for patients, and those...
Rising Real Wages Pile On More Pressure
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: “The ONS data suggests that the jobs market is continuing to loosen as unemployment rises, vacancies...
BCC News
Rising Real Wages Pile On More Pressure
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: “The ONS data suggests that the jobs market is continuing to loosen as unemployment rises, vacancies...
Worcestershire News
Invitational Franchise Roundtable Lunch
In conjunction with Knights Plc & NatWest, we’d like to invite franchisors and franchisees to a roundtable lunch event as follows; Venue – Knights Plc, Two Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX (easily accessible from New Street or Snowhill stations)...
Japanese Professor’s Year in Worcester Learning about British Law
An academic from Japan has spent a year at the University of Worcester learning about British law. Professor Ning Han is the second member of staff from Toin University in Yokohama to take part in an exchange programme between the two universities. She spent a year...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire and Worcestershire to ‘Level Up’ with Government Funding Announced
Almost £40 million of funding from the government’s £2.1bn Levelling Up fund will be granted to projects in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, it was announced today (19 January 2023). Over 100 projects from across the UK have been awarded funding from Round 2 of the...
DEFRA’s new five-year plant biosecurity strategy features Hereford-based Wyevale Nurseries
One of the country’s leading commercial nurseries based in Hereford is featured as a case study in *DEFRA’s recently published five-year plant biosecurity strategy – it also quotes the company’s Production Manager, Kyle Ross. The document covers areas of potential...
All Latest News
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
Turn your unwanted Christmas gifts into a lifeline for local children
Did Santa bring you a gorgeous gift… that you already own? Did you get something fabulous and fashionable, but it doesn’t quite fit? Or have the festivities left your wardrobes and cupboards feeling a little too bloated? Before you mistle-toss them into the attic, why...
Policing Students Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls with Poster Campaign
Aspiring police officers at the University of Worcester have created a powerful public messaging campaign aimed at tackling violence against women and girls. Students on the Professional Policing degree produced posters inspired by their studies, focused on educating...
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...
University Women’s Team Head Undefeated into the New Year
The University of Worcester’s Women’s Football Team are chasing promotion, as they enter the new year unbeaten after a record-breaking first half of the season. The side has won all eight of its league and cup fixtures so far, scoring 96 goals and conceding just once....
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