Last week in late-April saw the formal opening of the Business & IP Centre local in Bulwell Riverside library.
Additional centres at Beeston, Mansfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield libraries will also formally open throughout May and June.
At these locations entrepreneurs and business owners can meet with BIPC Advisors to discuss their business and access online reports and resources which have a combined worth of over £5 million across the country.
The expansion of new sites beyond the Nottingham City area is part of a wider expansion of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre national network, made possible due to £13 million Treasury investment.
BIPC Nottinghamshire offers insights and access to free resources, training and events – both online and in-person. With a range of specialist partners and experts-in-residence, businesses can attend specialist webinars, get bespoke one-to-one advice and connect with other founders for inspiration and practical advice in a regular Business Club. Businesses and entrepreneurs can also access free online accountancy support and advice on how to protect their intellectual property.
Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Eunice Campbell-Clark, said: “Now, for the first time, Bulwell businesses can access a dedicated space to work or meet and connect with others. They can utilise a range of databases containing real-time, up-to-the-minute information on thousands of local, national and international companies and markets.
“The detailed reports that can be downloaded from the databases would usually cost a business several hundred pounds but are completely free of charge to Bulwell businesses. In this post-pandemic recovery period, we are all working extremely hard together to build confidence and boost economic regeneration and growth. It now is up to us here in Bulwell to make the most of the great resources available through our BIPC and encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of what they can offer.”
Nigel Hawkins, Head of Culture and Libraries at Nottingham City Council, reflects: “There’s no such person as a typical entrepreneur. Coming through the doors of our libraries are people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Expectant mothers, young people, elderly people, those who are out of work, people with disabilities – graduates – those with no qualifications at all.
“Anyone with a business idea – irrespective of their circumstance or background – is welcome to use our services and get help to get started or grow. It is exciting and positive that the libraries can now play a new role in terms of harnessing the potential of businesses and make such an important contribution to economic regeneration.”
