SIR Elton John, Oasis, Girls Aloud, Diana Ross, One Direction and even Gary Barlow – the Bournemouth International Centre has hosted them all. 

This year, the BIC – now a landmark in Bournemouth and internationally recognised – is celebrating 40 years since it first opened in 1984. 

Welcoming more than 300,000 visitors a year, the iconic venue hosts a range of music, musicals and comedy events year-round. 

With four main halls including a 6,200-capacity standing arena, other international superstars who have played there include Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan. 

The BICThe BIC (Image: Daily Echo)

From Rum and Reggae Festivals, Oktoberfest and tattoo exhibitions, there is no showcase, exhibition or theme the venue has not hosted. 

For over ten years the venue has been home to Cool Coast Ice Rink, one of the largest seasonal indoor ice-skating rinks on the south coast.  

Operating annually from December to February, it attracted more than 30,000 visitors last year.  

As part of a year-long celebration, the team at the BIC have asked visitors to share their favourite memories about the venue across the past four decades. 

Gary Barlow at the BICGary Barlow at the BIC

Steve Turner, BH Live’s associate director of venues, said: “40 years of making a difference in our local community is such a huge milestone to celebrate.  

“Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) benefits so many people whether that is through coming to see a cultural event, attending a business event, or visiting one of our seasonal attractions. 

“Furthermore, as BH Live is a registered charity, any surplus revenue generated through our services is reinvested back into our local facilities to make sure we continue to have visitor appeal and keep bringing people into the town. 

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us and visited the BIC over this past 40 years – and here’s to many more – we couldn’t do it without you.” 

For the past 13 years, the BIC has been operated by registered charity BH Live, in partnership with BCP Council. 

BCP Council has made several investments into the venue too including LED lighting installations and fitting more than 900 solar PV panels to generate power and essential infrastructure works.  

And £1.8 million was recently allocated by the council to revitalise the venue’s meeting room facilities and enhance public spaces with improved digital signage.  

Work to refurbish the venue’s Purbeck spaces began this summer.