Last updated: 21 May 2025
Next review: 17 January 2026
Welcome to London's first Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Local, launched in partnership with the British Library. We are located on the ground floor of Leytonstone Library. We are steps away from the Leytonstone Central line station. The BIPC Local centre has business development resources, community workspace, and expert advice available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
All support is free for everyone at any stage of their business journey.
- Drop in to discuss your ideas for a new start up or thriving scale up.
- Make a one to one appointment with one of our advisors to receive focused help.
- Bring your laptop and latte and enjoy our bright, welcoming workspace with free wifi in the heart of Leytonstone.
Start your journey here
Free webinar and events
Take the first step toward building your business and sign up to our Eventbrite page, listing our free workshops and webinars. Don't miss any of our great events, workshops and networking opportunities.
Inspiration
Our BIPC Instagram page is full of inspiration, advice, links to events, and fun engagement posts. Follow us to never miss a post and don’t forget to like and comment.
Explore our business resources
BIPC Local one-to-one advice and support
Get free tailored advice from our in house experts in the comfort of our business centre in Leytonstone or online.
How to access:
- Speak to Information Specialist, Stephen Brindle by emailing stephen.brindle@walthamforest.gov.uk
Stephen Brindle: Information Specialist
BIPC Local workshops
How to access: Visit our Eventbrite page. Create an account and follow us to receive updates when we add new events and workshops.
LBWF business newsletter
This free monthly newsletter provides information about grants, networking events, and more to help you stay connected.
How to access: Use our subscription portal to sign up for the business newsletter.
BIPC local databases
Access world renowned information for free through COBRA with your library log in. Additional IBISWorld, and Fame are available.
Business Decarbonisation Plan
The BIPC are offering each business in the borough the opportunity to review their carbon footprint by analysing their use of energy, transport and water, as well as their environmental management, waste policy, resource efficiency and legal compliance. The aim is to empower businesses to achieve Net Carbon Zero by 2030. Net Zero means your business makes no overall contribution to climate change.
For further information please contact us.
LBWF adult learning service
Access to courses in accounting, finance, marketing, start ups, hiring apprentices, HR and much more.
Please check the ALS business course list for specific requirements and costs.
Waltham Forest Connected
Waltham Forest Connected is an exciting in person and digital community committed Waltham Forest’s business community.
Whether starting from scratch with an exciting idea, starting a small business, or growing into new markets, Waltham Forest Connected can offer you support.
Find a local business or list your business on Waltham Forest Connected
NatWest courses, accelerator, and workshops with us
Entrepreneur Accelerator for growing businesses. An online Business Builder course, Women in Business network, free planning and growth guidance, and mentoring with local enterprise managers through the Mentor Digital platform.
Our BIPC Local will run free workshops in collaboration with NatWest. Visit the NatWest website for access to their specialised programmes and mentoring. Events will be held through our Eventbrite page
BIPC Local email out
A monthly email providing curated content of interest to business owners in Waltham Forest.
Send an email to startups@walthamforest.gov.uk indicating you wish to receive these emails.
Meet our BIPC local ambassadors
A group of talented local founders has been appointed to act as BIPC Local Ambassadors. They keep the Council informed of challenges facing the local business community. Their success, enthusiasm, and energy are vital components of the BIPC Local and the community.
Naila Ahmad, Naila Ahmad London
Nevo Burrell, Nevo Concept
Patty and Ali Gurman, Sweet Paper Creations
JJ Khun, WIILMA
We have teamed up with the British Library’s Business & IP Centre (BIPC) to deliver grassroots business support on your doorstep, which is free to join and open to all business owners across the capital. Kickstart Your Business is a two day start-up programme aimed to help you start and progress your business development, for free.
Day 1 covers the multiple areas of intellectual property and their relevance to your business, as well as practical tips on how to use the BIPCs recourses to protect, research and develop your business idea.
Day 2 takes a deep dive into the areas you need to focus on to kickstart your business; from the essential building blocks of starting up and running a successful business to common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Link to all Kickstart Your Business workshops
- Sign up for Day 1 in Waltham Forest
- Sign up for Day 2 in Waltham Forest
- You can also check out and sign up for other free workshops and webinars that are on offer throughout the BIPC London Network
Local business networking
List your business in the Waltham Forest Connected Business Directory to gain better visibility. You can also search for other businesses in the area by industry as well as further business support programmes and resources.
Further business networks on our Council webpage.
Didn't find what you're looking for?
Our Council website is the portal to all the information you need to plan or grow your local business in Waltham Forest. There is helpful guidance around licensing (pavement, alcohol, food, etc.), planning permissions, commercial property and co working spaces for lease, and much more.
If you need assistance or for all other enquiries:
Pre-trading and start-up guidance, startups@walthamforest.gov.uk
Business growth and recovery guidance, business.growth@walthamforest.gov.uk
Business contacts: get in touch
Below are our key contacts for the BIPC.
| Type of business enquiry | |
| Pre-trading and early stage start-up guidance | startups@walthamforest.gov.uk |
| Business growth and recovery guidance | business.growth@walthamforest.gov.uk |
| Grants or funding available to businesses | These will be announced in the business newsletter. Please subscribe to stay informed. |
Celebrating a dynamic year of growth
From immersive learning to impactful coaching, we've held over a hundred events, workshops, and delivered extensive 121 support. Big thanks to our local businesses, colleagues, stakeholders, and partners for making it a success!
Exciting prospects await in 2024 as we aim to enhance value for startups and scaling businesses. We're ready to elevate our services and grow as a team.
Here's to a prosperous 2024! If you need business support, reach out via email startups@walthamforest.gov.uk or book a 121 with our Information Specialist