BIPC Bolton
Whether you’re starting up, expanding your business or changing careers, the Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Bolton can help with a range of resources providing a wealth of information.
Company information
- online access to FAME, a database containing financial and company information on over 2.4 million businesses in the UK and Ireland
- trade directories
- business directories (including Key British Enterprises and Dun and Bradstreet Business Registers for Lancashire and Greater Manchester)
- a full set of UK telephone directories
Financial data and statistics
- census information (local and national)
- UK Official publications
- UK trade statistics
- FAME business information database
- newspapers and journals (including The Financial Times, Investors Chronicle and Money Facts)
- Northcote Data, linking to financial information published by large companies
Mailing lists
We can help create mailing lists tailored to your needs and export the lists in various formats.
There is a charge for this service.
Start Up Information and Guidance
- COBRA (contains fact sheets, market reports, contacts and sources of funding and support to help entrepreneurs and their advisers)
- newspapers and journals (including access to NewsBank, a database of national and regional news)
Market Research
- MINTEL market research reports
- Frost & Sullivan market intelligence reports
- Statista market reports
- Local Data Online retail analytics
Bolton libraries are part of the Ask about Business partnership with Manchester City Library, authorities in Greater Manchester, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. The service enables access to even more resources held across the region covering Pre-Start and new businesses, existing business, jobseekers, consumers, inventors and business students.
We also work closely with other information providers and business related organisations both within Bolton and nationally. We can signpost you to the most relevant organisation to suit your needs.
Costs
There is a charge for using the business resources.
There is a small charge made for company mailing lists.
Printing and photocopying is charged at the normal library rate.
Build a Business
Build A Business is an innovative new project aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business.
Through workshops, events, one to one help and advice sessions, we will be offering tailored help to support new businesses and entrepreneurs.
For more information, check out the Build a Business website here.
Build a Business in GM Libraries is part funded by the European Union, with a grant of £1.3 million from ERDF funding, and managed by Manchester City Council. The project will run from January 2021-June 2023.
Online Business Information Resources
COBRA
COBRA is a continually expanding business encyclopedia covering all aspects of starting and running a business. From writing a business plan to expanding an existing business, COBRA contains around 4000 factsheets, market reports, contacts, and sources of funding and support to help entrepreneurs and their advisers.
FAME business database
Fame contains comprehensive information on companies in the UK and Ireland. You can use it to research individual companies, search for companies with specific profiles and for analysis.
There is a charge for the production of business lists using FAME, please see our Library Charges for details.
*Access available via Bolton Library computers only (login required).
Frost and Sullivan
Frost and Sullivan provides access to a range of in-depth global market research & strategy reports. They cover medical technology, chemicals & plastics, automation, electronics, energy systems, environmental & building technologies and IT.
You can download up to 10% of one report (limited to two reports per person per calendar month).
*Access available via Bolton library computers only.
GrantFinder
GrantFinder is the leading funding database in the UK covering local, national, and international sources of funding.
*Access available via Bolton Library computers only (login required).
Local Data Online
Local Data Online provides up-to--date information on the retail and leisure sector in a particular location, such as a town, city or region. You can break search results down by industry classification, produce area summaries and lists of companies with contact details. Key statistics include the number of vacant units, opening and closure rates, and the mix of independent and chain businesses.
*Access available via Bolton Library computers only (login required).
Mintel
Mintel is the world's leading market research and insight agency. You can access in depth reports on retail and consumer trends across a vast array of products and services. You can also investigate regional, national and international markets with in depth reports and statistics.
Mintel is only available for online access. Reports cannot be downloaded or printed off.
*Access available via Bolton library computers only.
Statista
Statista is a source of statistical information on industry sectors, market share, company data and consumer behaviour across the world. Browse current news topics or search and build your own data profile. Written reports are available as well as a range of infographics on important current affairs and topics relevant to business and markets.
*Access available via Bolton library computers only.