Free and accessible advice and support for local business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors is now available at a new hub at Seaton Library.

BIPC Devon has launched two new Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) hubs at Seaton and Okehampton libraries.

Libraries Unlimited and BIPC staff recently welcomed local businesses, councillors and members of the public to join them at the launch of their new hubs. These will bring much-needed business support and advice to small businesses, inventors and entrepreneurs in the local area.

Perdita Stott, founder of Moor Imagination, attended the Okehampton launch and said: "BIPC Okehampton is an amazing resource for local businesses.

"Everyone was so friendly and gave real-life practical advice on how to help your business thrive! Plus, there were delicious treats provided by Image Tattoo Okehampton, what's not to love? Libraries really are so much more than books!"

Following a successful expansion of the BIPC Devon network to Paignton Library in 2021, funding was allocated to equip Okehampton and Seaton Libraries with a Business & IP Centre hub, building on the popular and highly rated support already available through the existing BIPC Devon network, made up of hubs in Paignton and Barnstaple, as well as the main centre in Exeter Library. 

Richard Love, BIPC Devon Business Engagement and Marketing Manager, said: "Thanks to investment from The British Library through Libraries Unlimited, the new BIPC hubs will add a new dimension of business support to start-ups and entrepreneurs within East Devon and the rural community in and around Seaton and Okehampton."

BIPC Devon has noted a 140% increase in people seeking business support in the past 12 months.

It is supporting real and lasting change to the local economy with 80% of the small business owners supported identifying as female, and a further 20% identified as being from the BAME community.

These are two groups that are often under-represented in business and BIPC intends to continue to bring more diversity into the South West's business sector, something they are very passionate about. BIPC Devon currently has two grant programmes open to BAME applicants and female entrepreneurs.

The new centres at Okehampton and Seaton libraries will provide the local population with a core set of essential online resources for businesses, such as up-to-date market research and business databases, provided by the British Library.

BIPC Devon will also provide a bespoke programme of events, workshops and advice delivered by industry experts, complemented by long-standing collaborations with local business leaders, established entrepreneurs and community partners. This includes Petroc College, NatWest Enterprise, Exeter City of Literature, Place 2 Be, Exeter College and many more.

Alex Kittow, chief executive of Libraries Unlimited, said: "It's a really exciting time to be an entrepreneur in Devon with all the business support available from BIPC Devon. There are now a total of five BIPC hubs covering the whole of Devon, serving both rural, town and city communities.

"The continued expansion of the BIPC network, funded by the British Library, into Okehampton and Seaton, enables Libraries Unlimited to offer a wealth of free business information and support throughout our network of 54 Libraries across Devon and Torbay."

These latest launches come as part of a wider national expansion of library-based business support from The British Library, growing from 14 to over 100 regional BIPCs across England, thanks to £13million in government funding awarded to the British Library.

Richard O'Mahony, Seaton Library supervisor, commented: "Having the addition of the fourth BIPC in Devon is the real icing on the cake after our re-development earlier on this year.

"We're really looking forward to welcoming business owners and entrepreneurs through our doors, and very much hope we can play our part in contributing to the local economy and community which have supported us so well over the years." 

Liz Jolly, chief librarian of the British Library, added: "At their heart, libraries are trusted spaces with professional staff who have a mission to connect people with information.

"From Glasgow to Brighton, our Business & IP Centres harness 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."