A project based out of libraries in Liverpool that has helped over 3,000 people start or grow their small businesses is to be expanded to cover the city region.
LBN Daily reports that the Business & IP Centre Liverpool (BIPC Liverpool) was launched in Central Library six years ago, offering anyone who was looking to start or grow a business access to a wide range of specialist support services.
The scheme has proved to be a lifeline for Liverpool entrepreneurs, who have also been able to access workspaces, business resources, and expert support.
Having proved successful, the scheme is now being rolled out to other libraries in the Liverpool city region, using funds from a £13 million government spending pledge via the British Library’s national BIPC network.
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: “BIPC Liverpool is a brilliant success story and has provided a huge amount of support to countless individuals. The concept of providing help to anyone with a business idea, regardless of their background, is social value in action.”
She added that it is encouraging that over half of those who have benefitted from the scheme and set up a small business are women, and a third are from ethnic backgrounds, which is triple the national average for businesses in the UK.
She explained that the reason for this is largely due to the ‘accessibility and community-based ethos’ of library-based business support.
As well as each library being equipped with a core set of resources and free business databases, there will also be a programme of events, workshops, and one-to-one advice sessions.
Details of individual library opening times and the range of BIPC services can be found at www.liverpool.gov.uk/bipc.
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