The British Library has announced a major expansion of its highly successful network of library-based Business & IP Centres (BIPCs) to over 100 regional and local libraries across England.  

Following last year’s pledge of £13million in Treasury funding towards the expansion a total of £690,000 was allocated to BIPC Newcastle (a Newcastle City Council project). The funding has seen BIPC Newcastle rebrand to BIPC North East and will be used to open six new centres across the region, with three based in Northumberland. 

Known as ‘BIPC Locals’ the centres in Northumberland will open in Berwick, Morpeth and Hexham and are expected to be up and running in late summer. They will provide support for the county’s business community and help entrepreneurs develop their business idea.  

Northumberland Libraries worked closely with the British Library and BIPC North East to identify the three libraries which could best serve the county from a geographical perspective, and to support provision already on offer in the county, including Advance Northumberland 

The centres will also work alongside Northumberland Tourism to provide support for businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector. All library staff have been trained on offering basic support and signposting to other useful resources and organisations. 

Cllr Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries, said: "We are delighted to have new BIPC Nort East centres opening in our Berwick, Morpeth and Hexham Libraries from August. 

“These new centres form part of a national network, delivered in libraries across the country, providing business advice and support to local entrepreneurs to start and grow their business. 

“As we continue our recovery from the coronavirus pandemic we are doing all we can to encourage new businesses and help existing ones to grow and these hubs can play a key role for those seeking support and access with employment and skills. 

“The centres will also support our Climate Change commitment by reducing the need for travel - allowing people who don't have access to digital devices or the financial capacity to attend other parts of the country in person access to BIPC opportunities." 

Originally established in 2011 as the country’s first BIPC outside of London, BIPC North East provides resources and support for the North-East business community. BIPCs can open up the path to entrepreneurship for anyone with a business idea, regardless of their background. Consistently, over half of those who use a BIPC to set up a business are women and a third are from under-represented ethnic backgrounds. More than triple the national averages for business ownership in the UK, this diverse user base speaks to the accessibility and community-based ethos of this library-based support. While each Centre, is equipped with a core set of resources, such as up-to-date market research and business databases, provided by the British Library, they are brought to life by a tailored and highly individual programme of events, workshops and one-to-ones, delivered in collaboration by local partners.