Support for businesses
Advice and funding
Ask About Business
Ask About Business is available through the local library network across Greater Manchester. It provides a wealth of information and advice for businesses of all sizes.
Services include:
- Patent and Intellectual Property clinics
- free online information resources
- company and sector information
- information workshops
Build A Business
Build A Business is an innovative project aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business.
It’s running in libraries across 10 Greater Manchester authorities, offering tailored help to support new businesses.
From artisan bakers to zumba instructors, Build A Business can help.
Build a Business in Greater Manchester Libraries is part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Manchester City Council. The project will run until 2025.
Business Stockport
Business Stockport provides advice and support for starting, growing and investing in businesses in Stockport. You can access these pages through the free computers in your local library.
COBRA
COBRA is a practical and comprehensive resource for anyone wanting to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.
Grantfinder
Grantfinder helps you to identify, apply for, and manage funding. Featuring over 8000 continuously updated funding opportunities. Available in all Stockport Libraries
Market Research
EMIS Emerging Markets
EMIS provides access to the best information on over 197 emerging markets worldwide:
- time-sensitive, hard-to-get, relevant news
- research and analytical data
- peer comparisons
- and more
Downloads are limited to 10 reports per day and 250 companies in list form per week per user. Ask our staff if you need help.
Only available in the library. Please see a member of staff for log in details.
Frost and Sullivan
For 60 years, Frost and Sullivan has led the way in helping companies identify, plan, and capture growth opportunities around the world. You'll find market and tech research reports covering:
- innovation
- disruptive technologies and companies
- new business models
- emerging markets and the effects on growth
Downloads are limited to 2 per user per month.
Only available in the library. Please see a member of staff for log in details.
Local Data Online
Local Data Online are a data and insights provider specialising in the retail and leisure landscape of the UK high street. They offer a visual, intuitive, detailed and map based focus. They also include data about vacant properties.
Only available in the library. Please see a member of staff for log in details.
Passport (Euromonitor International)
Passport provides comparable international market intelligence on over 4500 countries, consumers and industries. Includes industry and company reports.
Downloads are limited to 20 pages, 1 report, and / or up to 1000 cells of data per day.
Statista
One of the world's leading portals, Statista offers access to statistics and studies on 80,000 topics and 170 industries.
You can quickly and conveniently access and process relevant market and consumer data. The data is available in English, German, Spanish and French and is expanded and updated daily.
Statista is only available to use in the library.
Intellectual Property Sources
Espacenet
The European Patent Office website provides free access to over 130 million international patent documents. Many complete specifications are available. The coverage varies by country.
Business news and journals
Newsbank
Newsbank provides full-text content of selected national, regional and international English language newspapers and periodicals. It includes Accountancy Age, The Grocer and Marketing.