CHAMPIONING AND NURTURING INNOVATION

Liverpool Central Library has become a hub of entrepreneurship and innovation. Geraldine Fuller from BIPC Liverpool explains how the team brings new ideas to life daily.

Liverpool has long been a leader in pioneering developments, from the world’s first railway tunnels to innovations like Meccano, football nets, and the Crossword. The city is the birthplace of significant advancements in health, sport, culture, technology, and medicine. In 1883, it introduced the country’s first ambulance service, and Merseyside is home to the NSPCC, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and the RSPCA. The Lyceum on Bold Street was the UK’s first public lending library, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine was established in 1898.

Innovation is all around us, from the humble coffee cup to electric cars. The Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC Liverpool), based in Liverpool Central Library, provides crucial support to individuals and companies wanting to protect and develop their innovations. Intellectual property is a core service, offering free legal advice on trademarks, patents, copyrights, and domain names. A monthly clinic also allows access to in-person legal consultations. developing apps. BIPC gives people the right combination of information and guidance to succeed, from finance advice to business planning.”

BIPC Liverpool offers a wide range of free services to those starting, growing, or managing a business, with events held both at the library and across the city in areas like Norris Green, Wavertree, and Speke. People from various backgrounds seek support to launch ideas, advance businesses, or solve challenges.

“Many people don’t realise they’re being innovative,” says Geraldine. “We help them protect their intellectual property, whether they’re creating clothing designs or

The centre also offers a rich programme of events to enhance business skills, featuring workshops by leading business figures. A recent series at Everton Football Club, led by Dragon’s Den winner Peter Hill, covered essential topics like pricing strategies.

Networking events, which are part of the growing BIPC community, are also popular, helping entrepreneurs connect and collaborate. The Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards will celebrate the local business talent.

Anyone interested in starting or growing a business can contact BIPC Liverpool for support on libraries.enquiries@liverpool.gov.uk