Business and IP Centre (BIPC) Local

Welcome to London's first Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Local, launched in partnership with the British Library. We are located in participating libraries across the borough, including Leytonstone, Walthamstow, Hale End and Chingford. Expert advice is available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).

Make a one to one appointment with our business advisor to receive focused help.

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.

BIPC Local one-to-one advice and support

Get free tailored advice from our business advisor in order to receive focused support either online or in one of our participating libraries.
 

How to access:

• Speak to Information Specialist, Stephen Brindle by emailing stephen.brindle@walthamforest.gov.uk

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.

BIPC local databases

Access world renowned information for free through COBRA with your library log in. Additionally Grantfinder is 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.

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

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.

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 

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.

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

Below are our key contacts for the BIPC.