Resources and facilities
Our Business and IP Centre in Norwich and six BIPC local centres around Norfolk can help you conduct your own research.
They offer bookable PCs with office software, free access to the internet and study spaces.
You'll find the main collection of business resources at BIPC Norwich. All the local centres have access to the collections of business books and online databases.
Trained library staff are on hand to help you find the information you need.
Online publications
You can search for business publications in the library catalogue and reserve items to collect at your nearest branch.
We also have a wide range of business e-books available. You can download and read these on your computer, smartphone, tablet or e-reader.
Free database subscriptions
BIPC Norfolk provides free access to a great selection of online subscriptions. These provide up-to-date business information, including market research, grants and company reports.
To access them please visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.
Accessible from library and non-library computers:
- GRANTfinder - identify, apply for and manage funding
- Kompass EasyBusiness - powerful B2B data search platform
Accessible from library computers only:
- COBRA (Complete Business Reference Adviser) - information covering all aspects of starting and running a business in a wide range of industries
- IBISWorld - industry market research, reports and statistics
- Statista - insights and facts across 170 industries and 150+ countries
Which database provides the information I'm looking for?
Start-up business support and general business information
COBRA
COBRA provides access to a broad range of information covering the essentials of starting and running a business in the UK.
If you're looking to take the first steps on your business journey, use COBRA's 'Business Opportunity Profiles' to gather the essential information on a multitude of different business ideas.
For existing businesses, COBRA can provide the latest know-how through their 'Sector Updates', plus a host of further resources including business events and a legal library.
Use COBRA as the starting point to find the business information you need.
To access COBRA visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.
Latest market research, industry information and statistical projections
IBISWorld
IBISWorld marries data and graphs with detailed insight and context.
It provides a neat package to explore the latest analysis on the performance and projections of UK industries and sectors through their 'Industry reports'.
You can also gauge the latest implications of COVID and Brexit through their 'Impact' tool
To access IBISWorld visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.
Statista
Statista is the home for all-matters statistics related and more
Whether on a national or international level, Statista provides you with the data on the business topics that matter to you.
Use the 'Statistics' section to find specific data and infographics, whilst 'Reports' can provide the numbers on a wide range of industry topics and 'Outlooks' can provide latest projections and examinations on the data.
To access Statista visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.
Individual company listings and local area data
Kompass
Kompass hosts a slick, accessible interface to search individual company and market listings in specific regions from over 70 different countries.
To export data and download from Kompass, email bipcnorfolk@norfolk.gov.uk with your search criteria and we will download the data on your behalf.
To access Kompas visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.
FAME
FAME provides general financial research, analysis and individual company information - including financial data, contact information and corporate structures.
Through its in-depth search function, FAME enables you to create searches to find companies with specific profiles, and run detailed analyses on individual or groups of companies.
To access FAME visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.
Grant and funding opportunities for my business
GRANTfinder
GRANTfinder is the database to use for searching the latest funding avenues available to meet your specific business needs. Use the search engine on the database, view your results and export a report with all the grant options relevant to you.
To access GRANTfinder visit our online library resources page - all you need is your library card.