Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone is now ready and equipped to help businesses with advice and support they need to succeed.
Kent Libraries’ Business & IP Centre (BIPC Kent), which is part of the British Library’s national network of similar centres across the country, is now open for start-up businesses, small-to-medium businesses, inventors, and anyone with a business idea.
BIPC Kent is offering insights and access to free resources, training, and events. Visitors can also book free one-to-one consultation sessions with their business and IP specialist, Tito Shokunbi, to receive expert advice on how to start or grow a business.
From understanding the vital role of trademarks and patents to business research on customers, markets, and industries, plus workshops to develop practical skills in business, the Kent Business and IP Centre can provide the help and support that small businesses and entrepreneurs around Kent often need.
As part of the British Library’s expansion of its national network of Business & IP Centres, government funding has been committed towards the refurbishment of part of Kent History and Library Centre; adding the BIPC Kent’s pod, additional seating, business reference books, and more, all to provide the best possible opportunity to the business community in Kent.
Later in the year, additional BIPC Kent locations, known as “BIPC Locals”, will be created around the county.
Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “I am delighted to see Kent History and Library Centre included in this initiative by the British Library.
“BIPC Kent is now up and running, offering valuable support to the county’s many entrepreneurs who need a little help and advice to make sure their businesses have the best chance of success.”
A meeting room available for use by Kent businesses
Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian at the British Library, said: “At their heart, libraries are trusted spaces with professional staff who have a mission to connect people with information. From Glasgow to Brighton, our BIPC Network harnesses the power of libraries, bringing in expertise from the local community to help people from all walks of life turn an idea into a successful business.
“We are delighted to mark this next chapter in the Network’s journey, growing from 14 to more than 100 new regional and local centres across England, with a longer term ambition to expand across the UK.
“Our mission is to put business support in every library, but we’re also learning lessons from the past year, by making sure more and more of our business and IP workshops, events and one-to-ones are open to everyone online.”
If you need advice or support on protecting your intellectual property or business, or want to talk through a business idea, please get in touch to book a free one-to-one business & IP consultation at www.bipckent.org.uk or email us at bipc@kent.gov.uk
For more information, please contact Ashleigh Turner-Dickinson at Ashleigh.turner-dickinson@kent.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
Business & IP Centre Kent (BIPC Kent) is part of the British Library’s national network of Business & IP Centres and they are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses. By being part of Kent Libraries, we’re supporting a thriving community of bright and inspiring people in Kent.
For more information, to book one-to-one advice sessions, or to look at our upcoming events, check out our website at www.bipckent.org.uk
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s greatest research libraries. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive research collection.
The Library’s collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 170 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation and includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, photographs, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. Up to 10 million people visit the British Library website – www.bl.uk – every year where they can view up to 4 million digitised collection items and more than 40 million pages.
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