Entrepreneurs can book business advice - at their local library

Budding entrepreneurs can now get help launching their business – thanks to their local library!

Build a Business in GM Libraries is a new scheme that will offer advice, tailored support and guidance to local business owners and their teams through a programme of workshops delivered at libraries.The project will also help entrepreneurs to plan, develop and grow their business ideas, while also providing the opportunity to network with like-minded people in their area.

Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:

“This is a great opportunity for anyone starting their own business or looking to become an entrepreneur.We want to do all we can to help people succeed in business so we’re delighted to have been able to join together with other Greater Manchester councils to deliver this exciting programme.”

In tandem with the workshops and advice available, one-to-one support will be provided in each authority by local small business experts. These SME Champions are carefully selected experts who can share a wealth of knowledge to help participants expand their ideas and build their businesses.

Participants will also have access to their local library’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), where users can access industry-standard business information resources, including powerful market research databases. Businesses will also benefit from allocated workspaces that have Wi-fi, PCs, printing and 3D printing access.

Altrincham library will be the first library in Trafford to host a workshop, with a Power Up Your Business event on 7 March.

Redz Holyfield, a baker based in Greater Manchester, has benefited from Build A Business. He said:

“Build A Business has been a fantastic support to me. Learning about the free market research and other resources has saved me thousands of pounds – it’s amazing! The ongoing assistance is helping me to plan and prepare to grow and be successful.”

The exciting business-focused project will run until June 2023 and has been part funded by the European Union with £1.3 million from ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) funding.

Lou Cordwell, chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP), said:

“Build A Business is a fantastic new project offering practical advice and tailored support, all delivered at a convenient location. Greater Manchester is full of entrepreneurial people with great ideas and it’s important we offer them support so that they can drive our recovery beyond the pandemic.

Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re already in business and want to grow, get in touch with Build A Business to learn more.”

For more information about the Build A Business project, please visit buildabusinessgm.org.

Posted on Friday 18th February 2022