One of the UK’s leading leisure and event operators, BH Live, is celebrating half a million attendances to cultural performances, shows and entertainment events between April 2023 and March 2024, at venues across Bournemouth and Croydon.
The registered charity and social enterprise operates Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), and Fairfield Halls in Croydon in partnership with their respective local authorities.
BH Live has been focusing on expanding each venue’s cultural event programme to increase audiences and deliver a diverse mix of events and entertainment. One of the organisation’s key charitable aims includes inspiring more people to visit and support their local cultural venues, enriching their lives through live performances.
Sold-out shows during the period included performances from artists such as Bring Me The Horizon, Michael Mcintyre, and James Arthur, comedians such as Mickey Flanagan and Bill Bailey, as well as in-conversation events with public figures such as Professor Brian Cox. Other notable stars include Leona Lewis, Billy Ocean, Olly Murs, Shalamar, Coleen Nolan, Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, and many more.
Musical events such as rock, pop and classical performances made up more than a third of the venues’ entire cultural programme. Bournemouth Pavilion and Fairfield Halls’ annual festive pantomimes continued to be a firm favourite, last year attracting more than 44,000 people of all ages.
Furthermore, in Croydon, Fairfield Halls hosted more than 120 dance performances and theatrical events. The team at the venue regularly collaborates with community groups and local arts organisations to provide space for young people and professional artists to rehearse and perform. Fairfield Halls is also home to resident companies including Talawa and London Mozart Players who develop and perform within the venue.
A hub for classical events and activities, Fairfield also hosted international orchestral performances, recordings, and rehearsals in its world-class Concert Hall, renowned for its high-quality acoustics. Visiting orchestras include the Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of India, China Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, and many more.
This year BH Live also marked two major venue milestones – the 40th anniversary of Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and the 95th anniversary of Bournemouth Pavilion. A free-to-attend community open day at Bournemouth Pavilion attracted more than 500 visitors, and more than 168,000 people enjoyed performances at the theatre over the year.
As well as free open days, Bournemouth Pavilion and Fairfield Halls additionally host heritage and community events throughout the year to encourage more visitors to learn about the venues. These include Bournemouth Pavilion’s tea dances, family open days and Compton Organ concerts.
Welcoming more than 300,000 visitors a year, Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) presents a versatile range of music, musical, and comedy events year-round in partnership with its in-house event teams and industry promoters.
With four main halls including a 6,200-capacity standing arena, international superstars who have played there include Gary Barlow, One Direction, Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan. Other headliners over the past 40 years include performances from Diana Ross, Oasis, Girls Aloud, and Sir Elton John.
On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Director of Venues, shared;
“The impact of delivering cultural events, performances and activities is felt far beyond the venues themselves. It resonates deep into the local communities we serve. There’s no doubt that coming to see a live performance, whether it is classical, rock, pop or panto, creates positive lasting memories. These shared moments and experiences make our communities more vibrant and enjoyable places to live, work and learn. We are delighted to mark more than half a million attendances this year and it is a privilege to be part of the rich cultural offering in Bournemouth and Croydon.
Steve added;
“Because these venues are run by BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, what’s even better is that any surplus we make through ticket sales, venue hire, food and drink, is invested back into the venues and programmes – providing future investment opportunities and enabling even more people to enjoy the feel-good feeling of live performance through subsidised and supported schemes.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said:
“With the festive season lighting up our borough, it’s great to reflect on the many performances and theatrical events enjoyed at Fairfield Halls this year. We look forward to hosting more cultural and musical events for all in 2025, welcoming local as well as international talent to perform at the heart of our community.”
For more information, visit bhliveorg.uk
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Photo credit: Courtesy of Rockstar Images
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Bournemouth International Centre
Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Opened in 1984 the venue is set in the heart of Bournemouth, with panoramic views across the bay. It is the south coast’s premier conference, exhibition, entertainment, and hospitality venue, with licensed capacity for up to 10,000 visitors. Four main halls and a variety of smaller meeting and hospitality areas can be scaled to host events such as multi-hall conferences, exhibitions, meetings, music concerts, dance and comedy performances.
- Buy tickets online at bic.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box offices at Bournemouth International Centre
For call charges, opening times and more visit bic.co.uk.
Get social with us:
X @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook & Instagram @BournemouthInternationalCentre
About Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
This Grade II listed venue opened in March 1929. It has a 1,500-seat theatre and full-sized ballroom. The venue hosts a year-round diverse programme of events and entertainment such as musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, dances and fashion shows. Gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, corporate presentations, product launches, conferences and exhibitions also feature.
Bournemouth Pavilion is home to Pavilion Dance South West and the Pavilion at AUB rehearsal and teaching space for the Arts University Bournemouth.
- Buy tickets online at co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook & Instagram @BournemouthPavilion
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls is managed BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, in partnership with Croydon Council.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls sits in the heart of Croydon.
Spaces inside the venue include its 809-seat Ashcroft Theatre, the world-class 1,802-seat Concert Hall, and The Recreational a 750-capacity standing live music venue. Additional studio space is available in the adjoining John Whitgift Community Cube which is also home to a vibrant café open daily serving food and drink. As well as the main auditoriums, there are additional spaces and rooms that regularly accommodate local business events, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, consumer-led events, and attractions such as family gatherings and celebrations.
The venue is also home to a well-attended Yamaha Music School providing a comprehensive learning programme including keyboard, guitar, singing and drums to hundreds of local people aged two years and upwards.
Companies in residence at Fairfield Halls include Talawa, and London Mozart Players.
Following a major refurbishment in 2019, the venue’s opening seasons included an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy, performance, dance and family entertainment including an annual festive pantomime.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened the Fairfield Halls on Friday 2 November 1962. The inaugural concert in the Concert Hall was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, with renowned soloist Yehudi Menuhin also performing.
The Ashcroft Theatre was opened on 5 November by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft, with the opening ceremony including a monologue by Sir John Betjeman called ‘Local Girl Made Good’. The first play performed was Royal Gambit, starring Dulcie Gray.
The Arnhem Foyer is named after Croydon’s twin-town of Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Buy tickets
- Buy tickets online at fairfield.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office at Fairfield Halls – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit fairfield.co.uk
Follow us on:
Facebook – @fairfieldcroydon
Instagram – @croydonfairfield
X – @Fairfield_Halls