NEW FIGURES CONFIRM BIPC LIVERPOOL CITY REGION IS ENGINE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH

payback of £6.63 for every £1 of public money spent across the BIPC Network. Among those entrepreneurs to receive support, 62% were women, 27% identified themselves as from a minority ethnic background, 15 % were disabled and 21% were aged 35 and under.

A new report published by the British Library has revealed the significant economic impact of the Business & IP Centre in the Liverpool City Region over the past three years.

The national report (Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0) identifies the city region’s BIPC as one of the top three best performing centres in the UK, supporting a total of 2,628 businesses and helping to create more than 1,000 new businesses during the period, generating GVA of £11m.

It shows that BIPC Liverpool City Region has boosted entrepreneurship and economic recovery at a local level, contributing to a

Liverpool Chamber

The Business & IP Centre Liverpool is based at Central Library, William Brown Street. Its services are delivered through Central Library and other libraries across the city as well as in St Helens, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton and Halton. It is part of a national network led by the British Library, providing anyone wanting to start or grow a business with information, resources and advice around protecting and commercialising their idea.

Val Jones, acting head of Libraries and Information Service, said: “Over the last few years, demand for BIPC services has risen sharply and we have adapted and expanded our range of services to reflect the needs of the business community.

The BIPC is often a lifeline for people starting and growing a business. These figures reflect the quality of our offer and the hard work and dedication of the BIPC team.”

Services at BIPC Liverpool City Region include:

• Free access to powerful database containing up-to-the-minute, high-quality UK and global market intelligence, customer insights and company data (worth over £5m), combined with intellectual property advice and guidance;

• A rich programme of online and physical events designed to help people learn, be inspired, connect and share ideas

• One-to-one support and mentoring delivered by library staff and public/private sector business experts and partners;

• Accessible and welcoming spaces with access to PCs, desks and Wi-Fi;

• A comprehensive package of online support; including webinars, one-to-one business and IP advice sessions and screenings of our programme of inspirational panel discussions.