A centre set up to support new businesses has been launched at Bristol’s Central Library. The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), officially opened by Mayor Marvin Rees, will help people from all walks of life to start and grow a small business with free resources, confidential one-to-one support, advice clinics and workshops. It is part of the British Library’s growing national network of over 100 regional and local library-based Business and IP Centres across the UK.
“We know that Bristol is full of people with great ideas, and we want to help turn those ideas into a reality.
Following an injection of funding last year to expand the network, Bristol City Council has been allocated almost £500,000 to establish a regional Business and IP Centre at Bristol Central Library, with three smaller local centres at branch libraries (Southmead, Junction 3 and Knowle library) to follow in 2022.
“I am really excited that Bristol had become a part of this network, and I cannot wait to see what businesses are created.”
The grant has funded specialist staff, building refurbishment and equipment, and access to thousands of pounds worth of specialised business and market-research resources, databases and reports.
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Supported the creation of over 12,000 new businesses
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Led to the creation of over 7,800 new jobs
Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member with • responsibility for libraries, said: “Business and IP Centres can open up the path to entrepreneurship for anyone with a business
Created businesses twice as likely to succeed beyond three years
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“The centre will be working in partnership with local business leaders and entrepreneurs to provide the best possible source of information and support to help get a small business off the ground and allow it to flourish.
The BIPC network has a notably strong track record of supporting people from all walks of life to start, protect and grow a successful business. In just three years it has:
