Bournemouth International Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bournemouth International Centre |
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Exterior of venue (c.2018)
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| Address | Exeter Rd Bournemouth BH2 5BH England |
| Coordinates | 50°43′00″N 1°52′41″W / 50.71667°N 1.87806°W |
| Owner | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council |
| Operator | BH Live |
| Built | 1982–84 |
| Inaugurated | 16 August 1984 |
| Opened | 6 September 1984 |
| Renovated | 2004 |
| Expanded | 1990 |
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Construction cost
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£19.5 million (£49.6 million in 2025 pounds ) |
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Classroom-style seating
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10–50 |
| Banquet/ballroom | 2,500 (Purbeck Hall) 1,300 (Solent Hall) |
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Theatre seating
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4,045 (Windsor Hall) 1,100 (Tregonwell Hall) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 6,982 m2 (75,150 sq ft) |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 1,973 m2 (21,240 sq ft) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) |
| • Ballroom | 2,748 m2 (29,580 sq ft) |
| Parking | 650 spaces |
The Bournemouth International Centre (often called the BIC) is a large building in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. It first opened its doors in September 1984.
The BIC is one of the biggest places in southern England for holding big meetings, shows, and fun events. It is also famous for hosting important national meetings for political parties and worker groups. In June 2022, it was announced that the building would get a £1.8 million update.
Contents
What is the BIC?
The BIC is a huge venue that hosts many different types of events. It's a place where people gather for concerts, exhibitions, and important conferences. Think of it as a giant community hub for entertainment and business.
A Hub for Big Meetings
The BIC has hosted many national meetings for political parties and trade unions. These are events where groups discuss important topics and make plans. For example, Neil Kinnock gave a famous speech for the Labour Party there in 1985. Margaret Thatcher also gave her last big speech for the Conservative Party at the BIC in 1990.
In recent years, some larger political parties have held their meetings in bigger cities like Birmingham or Manchester. However, the BIC still hosts the Liberal Democrat Conference regularly.
Inside the BIC: The Halls
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When the BIC first opened, it had two main halls: the Windsor Hall and the Tregonwell Hall. It also had a fun swimming pool. The swimming pool has since been closed to make more space for events and exhibitions.
Windsor Hall: For Big Concerts
The Windsor Hall is a very large space. It can hold almost 4,100 people for concerts. This makes it one of the biggest indoor music venues in the UK. Many famous artists include it on their tours.
This hall has something special called the largest "tensile grid" in Europe. It's like a giant net made of 30 miles of steel wire hanging above the stage. This strong net can hold about 90 tonnes of weight, which is useful for lights and sound equipment!
Purbeck Hall: A Round Addition
In 1990, a new round hall called the Purbeck Hall was added to the BIC. This addition cost £6 million. It provides even more space for different events.
Solent Hall: Exhibitions and More Music
The Solent Hall is another important part of the BIC. It can be used for exhibitions, which are like big displays of products or information. It can also hold up to 2,000 people for standing music concerts.
This hall was created in 2004 as part of a £22 million update. It replaced the popular swimming pool and wave machine, which some people were sad to see go.
The BIC is managed by a group called BH Live. They work with the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The BIC is also run alongside its sister venue, The Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom.
See also
- Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom
- List of venues in the United Kingdom
