Manchester Central Library opens new Business and IP Centre after £48 million refurbishment

The newly reopened Manchester Central Library, which has undergone a £48 million refurbishment, is launching its new Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Centre dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs to start, run and grow their own businesses.

The Centre, based on the British Library’s own Business and IP Centre in London, will provide a dedicated space for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the area to access the libraries’ valuable collections such as market research, company and financial information, and patent and trademark specifications, spanning both the UK and global markets.

Access to these core library collections, typically not affordable for small businesses, will be complemented by a face-to-face service, including practical workshops, networking events, and one-to-one advice and coaching sessions from business experts on how to protect their ideas, grow their businesses, and become commercially successful.

Manchester is one of six cities which has been taking part in a pilot scheme, offering a one-stop shop for businesses, over the last 18 months.

Cllr Rosa Battle, executive member Culture and Leisure, said: “The newly refurbished Central Library has something for everyone in Manchester.

“This partnership with the British Library ensures that we have a centre of excellence in the library for our business community with high quality resources and expertise and the ability to offer high quality support, practical advice and business information for people looking to start or grow their business.”

Isabel Oswell, head of Business Audiences at the British Library said: “The first Business & IP Centre outside London opened in Newcastle City Library just over a year ago, and since that time it has helped over 1,200 local businesses.

“With the volume of UK SMEs growing all the time, it’s more important than ever to offer businesses free and trusted business and intellectual property information and advice, and we’re thrilled that from this week Manchester and Birmingham will now be offering this service to entrepreneurs in their city regions.

“We urge anyone with a business idea within easy reach of either of these iconic libraries to go there and get started.”

The British Library’s vision is to create a National Network of Business & IP Centres across the UK offering a free, trusted and valuable service for the nation’s entrepreneurs, so that anyone starting or running a business has a central place to go, in their local area, for support, inspiration and information.

If you wish to attend the launch of Manchester’s Business & IP Centre, please contact: Jacqueline Meenan / Oliver Wright Manchester City Council Press Office on 0161 234 1010