Free support on how to survive and grow during coronavirus for SMEs in Northamptonshire

'Our goal is to ensure that the path to transformation and renewal is accessible to all'
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Northamptonshire can get free support on how to survive and grow during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Reset. Restart scheme from the British Library offers practical, jargon-free training and advice with localised help from the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Northamptonshire.

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Northamptonshire County Council deputy leader Lizzy Bowen said: "The global pandemic has had a significant impact on SMEs and entrepreneurs, the extent of which still remains to be seen as we continue to experience the personal and professional fallout of coronavirus.

The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Northamptonshire's base in Northamptonshire central libraryThe Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Northamptonshire's base in Northamptonshire central library
The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Northamptonshire's base in Northamptonshire central library

"The Reset. Restart scheme from the British Library will help these businesses and individuals adapt and thrive as part of ‘the new normal’, providing them with the tools needed to rebuild and transform despite potentially very difficult circumstances.”

Reset. Restart comprises a six-month series of 10 webinars on topics including opportunities in the ‘new normal’, product and service innovation, marketing, finance and new business models for all UK business owners.

Participants from Northamptonshire will be able to access further support from the BIPC, such as 1:1 support from a business adviser and an extensive programme of webinars launching in November.

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British Library chief executive Roly Keating added: “As it becomes increasingly clear that Covid-19 is a long-term challenge to the way we all live and work, the British Library has redoubled its commitment to ensuring that all entrepreneurs and SMEs in the UK can access the skills and information needed to adapt and flourish.

"We are delighted to join with our public library partners to launch Reset. Restart and provide tailored, sustained support not only to our national SME community, but to every business owner affected by the current crisis.

"At a time when entrepreneurs face an unprecedented array of challenges, whether rewriting their entire business model, marketing to a new audience or building a digital space, our goal is to ensure that the path to transformation and renewal is accessible to all.”

Reset. Restart runs alongside the day-to-day services provided by the BIPC Northamptonshire, one of 14 regional centres in the British Library’s network.

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The centre offers free and low-cost access to business intelligence, market research, 1-1s, training and IP support to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and more established SMEs in Northamptonshire.

A recent independent report released by the British Library showed the BIPC Northamptonshire has helped to create over 217 new businesses and over 197 new jobs in Northamptonshire in three years.

Following a £13 million government investment, the British Library is set to expand the BIPC network to 22 regional centres in England and Scotland by 2023, with a further 90 local centres across the Network.

Currently the BIPC Northamptonshire operates from Northamptonshire central, Kettering and Wellingborough libraries and will be expanding to Brixworth and Towcester libraries.

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Libraries minister Caroline Dinenage said: "The Reset. Restart scheme from the British Library will provide the practical help and skills that entrepreneurs need to recover from the impact of coronavirus and grow successful businesses.

"Thanks to our £13 million investment in the network, more businesses, jobs and local economies across the country can benefit from the invaluable expert advice available through this fantastic institution."

For more details and to book, visit: bl.uk/events/reset-restart or northamptonshire.gov.uk/reset.