(12 March 2015) In a funding boost Enterprising Libraries across the UK will receive over £650,000 to support entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and help them get started in business.
As part of this government’s long-term economic plan Enterprising Libraries turn library spaces into hotbeds for business ideas that can drive local economic growth.
Since its launch, Enterprising Libraries have set up scores of innovative businesses and hundreds of new jobs.
Using the strength of the public libraries network to reach into every community, Enterprising Libraries provide coaching, advice, meeting spaces, and IT support to people interested in developing a business proposal and bringing it to market.
The programme, launched in 2013, runs in 16 libraries across the country including Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham.
The success of the British Library’s own Business & IP Centre (Business & Intellectual Property Centre) service is evidence that libraries have an important role to play in helping small firms to innovate and grow: the London Centre has helped to create 2,775 businesses and an additional 3,345 jobs in new and existing companies from 2005 to 2012.
Overall, these businesses increased their turnover by £153 million, which subsequently meant a contribution of £47.1 million in gross value added to London’s economy (Source: Adroit Economics, based on Seven Up Census, April 2012).
Read the complete announcement here.
