Libraries should provide space for female entrepreneurs, say MPS

LIBRARIES should offer private spaces to women who want to start businesses, a report by MPS said.

In an effort to boost female entrepreneurship after Brexit, the group of MPS said libraries should be used more widely to provide “hubs including specific support for women-owned businesses”. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Women and Enterprise said the “unique reach and accessibility” of libraries can attract a more diverse audience and host business support services.

The report is the first of its kind from the group, led by Craig Tracey, the Conservative MP for North Warwickshire, and focuses on what the Government and private companies can do to boost the number of female entrepreneurs in Britain.

A government review found that if women were setting up businesses and scaling up at the same rate as men, the boost to the economy would be worth £250billion over the next 10 years.

“We believe it is the joint duty of government, financial institutions and the private sector to support female entrepreneurs to ensure that the UK economy takes full advantage of this untapped opportunity,” the APPG report saids.

“Post-brexit, this could be critical in both supporting and enhancing the UK’S future growth potential.”

The British Library has already established a dedicated space where entrepreneurs can access support through workshops, mentoring and events. Last year, its Business IP Centre gave face-to-face support to more than 5,000 people, of which 62 per cent were women. In addition, its national network of 11 centres supported more than 18,500 people, of which 59 per cent were women.

Jessica Rose, who founded the London Jewellery School and attended a course at the British Library, said: “It was really helpful for the simple things, like how to register a company, picking your company name, setting up a bank account. All these basic things that everyone needs to know when they are starting a business, but unless you have somewhere to go, it’s really difficult.”

Ms Rose added that another benefit of the hub was the chance to network. “It’s amazing to watch their businesses grow alongside yours,” she said.