Business, jobs and innovation

A partnership between libraries across the north west
Information to support pre-start and new businesses, existing businesses, jobseekers, consumers, inventors and business students.
Includes free access for library members to COBRA Complete Business Reference Adviser.

Part of the national network providing pre-start and new businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and SMEs across the UK advice, workshops and free access to databases, market research, journals, directories and reports worth thousands of pounds.
Prepare your business plan, find new markets, analyse competitors, credit checking, information on patents and trademarks and much more.
Book your place at one of the Manchester Business and IP centre start, run and grow your business events.

COBRA Business Adviser (external link via Ask About Business)

Practical information to help with start-up opportunities, employment, legal, finance, marketing, exporting, health and safety
Local Area Profiles providing information for prospective business start-ups and small firms by location.
You'll need your library card number to login.
See a handy guide to using COBRA in our library academy (external link).

British Standards Online (BSOL) is an online database of standards including British Standards Institution (BSI) publications and BSI-adopted European and International standards.
You can request up to a maximum of 10% of any standard to be printed by library staff for personal, non-commercial use.

The same BSI standards and publications are available to view outside Libraries, but cannot be printed or saved. Please note, however, that it may not be possible to view standards with the Google Chrome browser or on some mobile devices.

Help and guides for Job Finding and Universal Credit
Find a Job, job hunting, jobhunter skills, CVs/covering letters, interviews and starting work
Up to date information on Universal Credit, eligibility and how to apply.
Click 'Signup' and enter your library card number to get started, then choose one of the free courses.
Courses available in multiple languages
For help getting started, click on Help/Info

Frost and Sullivan supplies in-depth global market research and strategy reports covering medical technology, chemicals and plastics, automation, electronics, energy systems, environmental and building technologies and IT. You can download up to 10% of one report (limited to two reports per person per calendar month).

*Frost and Sullivan is only available at Lancaster library.

IBIS World (external link)

IBIS World features market research on hundreds of industries in the UK, including statistics, analysis and forecasts. Make use of topical reports and tools such as Brexit Impact Tool and Key European Market analysis.

IBIS World is only available at Lancaster library.

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.

Local Data Online is only available at Lancaster library.

Statista (external link)

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.

Statista is only available at Lancaster library.

NewsBank (external link)

Newsbank contains articles published in UK and world newspapers in the last 5 to 25 years (varies with different papers) right up to yesterday's edition.
All the major national daily papers and many local and regional ones are included. There are also business and marketing sources.
To access these you will need your library card number, NewsBank is available 24/7 on any device.
Watch a video introduction to using NewsBank in our library academy (external link).

Free, walk-in access to a wide range of academic articles and research in public libraries across the UK
Subjects include art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences.
All content provided is digital and can be accessed from our People's Network PC.

*Access to Research is only available within our libraries

Our Good Web Guide has more useful websites to help with a wide range of business and employment needs.