Leeds libraries join with small business for start-up day

Leeds Libraries is encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to join a day of free online talks to hear from successful local start-ups and discover the free business support on offer at the Business & IP Centre Leeds (BIPC Leeds).

To mark Start-up Day on 11 November, the Centre will come together with a range of local businesses and social enterprises to provide free information, events and guidance to anyone looking to start, run or grow their own business.

BIPC Leeds is run by Leeds Libraries and part of the British Library’s national network of business support. Start-up Day, founded by the British Library, is the biggest day of the year for the network, with over 30 libraries involved up and down the country. The theme of this year’s event is sustainability and over 50 speakers will discuss the importance of sustainability when starting a business.

Leeds-based social enterprises Seagulls and SCRAP will be giving free online talks about their own experiences of setting up a business with an environmental focus, along with North Sky Yurts, an outdoor glamping business set up with the help of BIPC Leeds.

BIPC Leeds has a strong record of helping people start and grow their own businesses and has supported thousands of start-ups with access to market research, information, events and guidance.

Becca McClure, owner of North Sky Yurts and previous user of the Business & IP Centre Leeds, said: “I’d always dreamed of owning my own business and I knew I wanted it to be outdoors related and also contribute something good to the world. After settling in Leeds and having my son, I started attending the BIPC’s free sessions at the library around writing a business plan, marketing and funding. The free advice was so valuable and it gave me the confidence that I had a credible business idea and could do something with it.”

In addition to the programme of events through the Leeds BIPC, people across West Yorkshire can attend in-person drop-in sessions at local BIPCs in Bradford and Wakefield on Start-up Day. BIPC Leeds announced the expansion of its services to local libraries across the region earlier this year.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Communities, said: “Start-up Day is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a business idea to find out what support might be available to them through their local library.

“It’s brilliant that we’ll have a returning user of the Business & IP Centre Leeds featuring as part of Start-up Day and I’m excited to see even more new businesses starting up through the help of the library service.

“I’d encourage people across all stages of their business journey to come along and hear about what’s on offer through the Business & IP Centre.”

Business & IP Centre Leeds Start-up Day events are free to attend and will be delivered online from 09:45-15:30. Tickets are available here