Small and medium-sized enterprises in London and the UK are being invited to join a new subscription membership scheme at City Business Library (CBL) to gain remote access to extensive resources to help them grow their companies.

The initiative has been launched in response to changes in working patterns and the importance of recognising that increasingly, more people are working remotely and need to be able to access business information anywhere, and at any time. Members can access remotely a wide range of databases that can be used from the comfort of their own home, office, or even on the move.

Approximately 513,000 people work in the City of London in 24,000 businesses – 99% of which are small and medium enterprises.

The CBL subscription membership scheme enables customers to access remotely this vital data around the clock, saving businesses time and money. Members will be able to source data, including i-global market research, company contact and financial information, industry trends, business start-up advice, imports and exports, and global statistics.

Alexandra Leader, the City of London Corporation’s Manager of City Business Library, said:

“There is no other information provider offering this unique service or level of remote access anywhere else in the UK.

“This data is usually only accessible by major organisations that have the budget to pay the commercial rates and despite what some small businesses may believe, they won’t be able to find this type of information by trawling through the internet.

“Two years in the planning, this new membership scheme demonstrates the City of London Corporation’s commitment to supporting enterprise and innovation across London and the UK.”

Graham Packham, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, said:

“In a fast-moving world where new technological innovations, research, laws and regulations are produced continuously, businesses and in particular, small businesses, need to stay ahead of the game.

“Having identified the need for this membership scheme, City Business Library will help them do that by enabling them to plug into high-quality, reliable and up-to-date information.”

Membership can be purchased in person at the library or via the CBL website (www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cblmembership), with customers offered the choice between six months or 12 months for £119 and £189, both of which provide access to nine databases.

For example, FAME helps you create business searches to find companies with specific profiles, carry out analyses on individual or groups of companies, and create B2B company lists, while Global Trade Tracker provides detailed commodity trade statistics for over 110 countries supporting SMEs who are looking to expand their markets globally.

Alternatively, customers can opt for a free access membership, which provides access to all business data inside the library plus, remote access to four databases, free Wi-Fi and access to the library’s computers for up to four hours daily, and a newsletter.

The City of London Corporation owns and manages the City Business Library.

Financial and professional services firms employ over seven per cent of the UK workforce, 2.2m people, two-thirds of whom are outside London. The industry produces 11% of total economic output and contributes £75 billion in taxes.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk