A £1.8 million investment from BCP Council, supported by an additional £800,000 from BH Live, has transformed facilities at Bournemouth International Centre. Improved event spaces, upgraded technology and modern hospitality areas are helping the BIC attract major conferences, exhibitions and entertainment events while generating valuable year-round footfall for Bournemouth’s hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.
22nd September 2026
A major programme of improvements at Bournemouth International Centre is helping the venue compete for conferences, exhibitions and entertainment events. BCP Council invested £1.8 million, supported by a further £800,000 from venue operator BH Live, taking the combined investment to £2.6 million.
The BIC has been an important part of Bournemouth’s events scene for decades, hosting everything from concerts and comedy shows to national conferences and exhibitions.
However, attracting major events means competing with modern venues across the country. The recent investment was designed to improve the experience for organisers, delegates and visitors while ensuring the BIC remains suitable for large-scale events.
BCP Council provided £1.8 million towards the work, with BH Live contributing an additional £800,000.
The programme has delivered improvements across several parts of the venue.
Digital and audiovisual facilities have been upgraded with new projectors, screens and digital signage. Wireless connectivity has also been improved, while changes to the lighting rigs include more energy-efficient LED fittings.
The BIC’s 313-square-metre meetings hub, business lounge and breakout areas have been refurbished to create flexible spaces for workshops, media centres and smaller conference sessions. Improvements include enhanced Wi-Fi and renewed heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
The first-floor Bourne Lounge has also been transformed. With panoramic sea views and capacity for up to 200 people in a theatre-style layout, it can now be used for private events, exhibitions, hospitality and conference breakout sessions.
Work has also taken place around Purbeck Hall and the adjoining Purbeck Lounge. The entrance to Purbeck Hall now includes a living roof, while the foyer has received new glazing, signage and bathroom facilities.
The Purbeck Lounge has been modernised with new sea-facing windows and doors, a refurbished bar and increased capacity for up to 280 people in a theatre-style arrangement.
Elsewhere, Elevate Brasserie & Bar has been remodelled to provide a more contemporary hospitality space, including outdoor decking overlooking Bournemouth’s seafront.
The investment appears to be strengthening the BIC’s position in the conference market. A BCP Council regeneration report stated that the improvements had helped with the retention and return of some large conference bookings.
Over a recent 12-month period, the venue welcomed approximately 63,000 delegates to major conferences covering sectors including healthcare, politics, trade unions and charities.
Conference and exhibition activity between April 2025 and March 2026 was projected to generate around £21 million in economic benefit for the local area - a reported increase of 16% compared with the previous year.
The impact of a major conference extends well beyond the venue itself.
Delegates travelling to Bournemouth may stay in local hotels, visit restaurants and bars, use taxis and public transport, and spend money at shops and attractions. This is particularly valuable outside the traditional summer season, when business events can bring additional visitors into the town.
The improvements therefore represent more than an investment in one building. They form part of the wider effort to support Bournemouth as a year-round destination and strengthen its visitor economy.
The BIC contains four main halls alongside smaller meeting and hospitality spaces. With a licensed capacity of up to 10,000 visitors, it can accommodate multi-hall conferences, exhibitions, concerts, comedy performances and other large events.
Its seafront position is also one of its most distinctive selling points. The upgraded lounges and hospitality areas make greater use of the coastal views, giving event organisers something that many city-centre conference venues cannot offer.
With improved technology, more flexible event spaces and upgraded visitor facilities, the BIC is in a stronger position to attract important events to Bournemouth - and help the benefits spread throughout the local economy.
You can explore upcoming concerts, exhibitions and other events on the BIC website.
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