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Business support in libraries

One-to-one business advice sessions

Speak to advisors for help and information on a range of business topics.

You could be taking the first steps to self-employment and starting a new business. If you're more established, you could be reviewing your existing business practices and developing your ideas for growth.

Topics include:

  • business basics
  • market research
  • library market research databases
  • business planning and strategy
  • adapting for a changing market

Bookable business advice sessions are available:

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

Business support basics 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:

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 Teams video call with IP attorneys at Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors.

We can also a arrange a follow up appointment with attorney Robert Sansby. Robert is a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney with technical expertise covering a wide range of engineering fields. Robert focusses on providing clear, concise, and commercially focussed advice to start-ups and SMEs.

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

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

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 Teams 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:​

Please note that prompt attendance at meetings is essential - there will be a 10-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 Innovator 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 Teams video calls only.

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

Please note that prompt attendance at meetings is essential - there will be a 10-minute cut-off from the scheduled meeting time start for all attendees.

Last updated 31 March 2023