Business support in libraries

Business and IP Centre Northamptonshire

The Business IP Centre Northamptonshire supports entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business.

The Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire, part of the British Library Business & IP Centre national network, runs workshops, webinars and information and advice sessions on:

self employment
intellectual property

Workshops, seminars and webinars

We deliver a range of supporting activities aimed at anyone considering self-employment, starting a new businessor requiring advice on intellectual property.

Business IP Centre Northamptonshire delivers support both virtually and in person. We offer one-to-one sessions on taking the first steps to self-employment and also on intellectual property.

We offer a programme of workshops and webinars covering business basics and market research utilising the library's business subscription resources, plus business planning and digital marketing webinars.

We are offering a programme of webinars covering business basics and market research utilising the library's business subscription resources, plus business planning and digital marketing webinars.

Find out more about our programme

British Library Webinars

You can take advantage of the expertise of the British Library by registering for one of their regular business webinars.

Please be aware that the British Library charge for some of their webinars.

HMRC webinars

HMRC offer a selection of webinars to help you in business.

One-to-one advice sessions

Business basics one-to-one advice - bookable appointment service

Speak to advisors for help and information on taking the first steps to self-employment, including:

business basics
market research
library market research databases
business planning

Bookable business basics advice sessions are available at Brixworth Library, Northampton Central Library and Towcester Library, or via Zoom video calls.

To book an appointment please contact the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire:

Email: bipc@westnorthants.gov.uk
Telephone: 01604 361447

Business support drop-in sessions at Brixworth and Towcester Libraries

Weekly non-bookable drop-in sessions are held at Brixworth Library and Towcester Library from 9:30am to 12noon, where you can discuss your business idea with a member of staff from the BIPC Team.

Brixworth Library – Monday
Towcester Library – Wednesday

Please note that the drop-in sessions will not run at a library on days that a business workshop is being delivered there. You can find workshop dates on the BIPC Northamptonshire Eventbrite webpage.

Intellectual property: one-to-one advice

Bookable Intellectual Property advice sessions are available at Brixworth Library, Northampton Central Library and Towcester Library, or via Zoom video calls.

Speak to staff for help and information on your intellectual property questions. After an initial one to one session with the Business & IP Centre and if necessary we can arrange a free follow up Zoom video call with IP attorneys at Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors.

To book an appointment please contact the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire:

Email: bipc@westnorthants.gov.uk
Telephone: 01604 361447

Ask an expert: How to make your business branding stand out in a crowded market place

Book a free one-to-one session for advice on how to attract the right clients or customers to your business through your branding and design.

The sessions, which will be Zoom video calls, will be with either Marie Louise O'Neill, owner of Lovely Evolution or with Trudie Avery, owner of Avery Creative:

for small businesses and business start-ups
for established businesses who have been trading for two years or more, covering the evolution of your brand communications as your business grows and develops

For further information and to book an appointment please contact the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire:

Email: bipc@westnorthants.gov.uk
Telephone: 01604 361447

Please note that prompt attendance at meetings is essential: there will be a ten minute cut off from the scheduled meeting time start for all attendees.

Ask an expert: Innovator in residence

For expert advice regarding protecting your invention, developing a business plan, securing funding, and setting up a business to commercialise your intellectual property or licensing to a third party. Meet with our Inventor in Residence, John Pearson. John is highly experienced in the process of taking an invention from idea to finished product.

The sessions are held via Zoom video calls only

For further information and to book an appointment please contact the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire:

Email: bipc@westnorthants.gov.uk
Telephone: 01604 361447

Please note that prompt attendance at meetings is essential: there will be a ten minute cut off from the scheduled meeting time start for all attendees.

Why information is on a different website

We are in the process of adding information to this new unitary council website. Some pages will give you a link back to a previous council website to help you find what you need. Read more about the council changes.

Last updated 11 July 2022