The seminars and one-to-one sessions on marketing, intellectual property and business coaching were incredibly valuable.
Ben Francoise
Founder, Saints Coffee
Business & IP Centres in libraries
You can find Business & IP Centres (BIPCs) in more than 70 public libraries across the UK.
They provide free, impartial business support for entrepreneurs and people thinking of setting up their own business.
They offer invaluable training and networking opportunities, often for free. And they make up the UK's largest collection of business and intellectual property (IP) information.
How BIPC helped Ben’s business
Ben founded Saints Coffee, a social enterprise coffee chain.
He did it with the help of BIPC Northamptonshire, which is based in Northamptonshire Central Library.
Questions about using Business & I.P. Centres
Find a Business & I.P. Centre near you
Browse the map to find your nearest library business support hub.
Did you know?
You don’t need to be a library member to use Business & I.P. Centres or their resources.
You will need to be a library member to attend BIPC events though. It's free to join a library.
More Work and Skills in libraries
Study spaces
Need a free, safe space with reliable Wi-Fi? The library is the perfect alternative to pricey cafés or working from home.
Cafes
Many libraries have cafes where you can meet friends, relax after an event or study somewhere different.
Makerspaces
Find your voice in a podcast studio, or have a go with 3D printers. Find coding clubs for kids and spaces where anyone can learn the skills to become a maker.
Digital skills
Delivering the skills we all need to make the most of today's tech. Attend free drop-ins to learn how to use your devices and the internet safely.
