The Bournemouth International Centre is a multi-purpose venue in the centre of Bournemouth and one of the largest license venues on the South Coast of England. We have four main auditorium spaces and multiple smaller event spaces which host everything from large concerts to conferences. Our main auditorium can hold up to 6200 for a standing concert and our overall capacity is around 10,000.

This guide is designed to assist patrons with accessibility requirements or additional needs make the most of their visit to the BIC. We want everyone to enjoy their time with us so if you need anything please speak to a member of our staff or ask for the Operations Manager who will help as best they can.

Contact Us
Our phone line and box office opening times vary week by week. Please check our website here for up-to-date timings.

By phone:
Our Accessibility team are on 0300 500 0595

By email:
Please email access@bhlive.org.uk with any specific enquiries

In person:
You can stop by our box office and speak to us in person, as a general rule, our box office is only open on event days from 1600 until the main act is on stage and is located at the front of the building.

By post:
Our address is Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH.

Operational Times
The approximate show timings will be listed on our event pages. We sometimes don’t receive the show running timings until the day of the performance and they are always subject to change. As a general rule, we open the front doors at 1600 for Box Office access, venue doors at 1800 and most shows finish between 2200 and 2300. Matinees are different and vary depending on the show.

Access Scheme
Customers with special seating or access requirements can apply to join the BH Live Access Scheme which enables us to provide the best possible service and seats for customers with specific needs. Discounted or complimentary Personal Assistant tickets may be available if you require assistance when attending an event at our venues.

Am I Eligible?
If you are in receipt of one of the following, you will be able to join the Access Scheme:

• PIP
• DLA
• Attendance Allowance
• Certificate of Visual Impairment
• Access Card
• Should you have a hidden disability please provide a brief overview of your condition

If you are not in receipt of the above but have another form of documentation, please email a copy to access@bhlive.org.uk for review.

How to apply
If you are new to our venues, you will need to create an online account. Click My Account at the top of the website and follow instructions for creating a new account. Once your account has been created, send your name, address and a copy of your proof (listed above) to access@bhlive.org.uk

How to book
Once you have received confirmation that your account has been registered on to the Access Scheme you will be able to book tickets through your online account. You will need to log into this account first before selecting your seats. At checkout, one of your already selected tickets will be discounted to a Personal Assistant ticket (if available).

Seating Options Available
We offer a minimum of 10 bays suitable for wheelchairs in the Upper Balcony, all of which are sold as restricted view.

We offer a minimum of 6 spaces for wheelchair users in the lower parts of the hall, during standing gigs and performances where we expect audiences to stand, we have a platformed area available and during seated events the spaces are located in row AA.

All of our accessible bays measure 1mtr x 1mtr. Should you need anything larger than this please let us know as we may have options to accommodate larger chairs if we know in advance.

We have 6 seats available on the flat floor, Row B for visually impaired customers.

Larger seating options are available, measuring 750mm, these can be booked via our access team.

Personal Assistants
Personal Assistants are expected to help with way finding, assisting the customer in and out of the venue and auditorium, the buying and carrying of food and drink and undertake all requirements of the person they are attending with, They must be able to assist the person with leaving the building in an event of an emergency.

Getting Here & Parking

Parking: Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH

The BIC has its own cashless, multi-storey car park with 644 spaces. Please take a ticket upon arrival and pay before exiting. The car park has 35 accessible spaces on levels 1, 2 and 3 and ramp access to the foyer from all levels.

We have two lifts operating at the front side of the car park covering all levels. The width of the lift doors is 80cm wide.

The height restriction for the car park is 6’ 56” or 2 metres. This is indicated by a fixed yellow barrier at the entrance.

Alternative parking can be found in the area, including the Bournemouth Pavilion (165 spaces) located on Westover Road, which is a short walk from the BIC and has no height restrictions.

Winter Gardens Car Park, Bournemouth, BH2 5AQ. Situated across the road from the BIC with 250 spaces available and a height barrier at 2.1 meters.

Drop Off: There is a lay by at the front of the building which can be used to drop people off for events. This area can get very busy at the end of performances.

Arriving By Car:
From Bournemouth West Roundabout: Take the first exit and follow the brown signs to the BIC. The BIC multi-storey car park is off the roundabout at the bottom of Priory Road. From the North and West: Head for the A31 / A338 junction (Ashley Heath) just outside Ringwood, taking the A338 (Wessex Way) to Bournemouth. Then follow the directions from the Bournemouth West Roundabout. Use postcode BH2 5BH for sat nav.

Arriving By Bus:
The closest bus stops to the BIC are:

• Bournemouth Pier – about a 2 minute walk (82 meters) from the venue
• Beacon Road – about a 4 minute walk (232 meters) from the venue
• Westover Road – about a 7 minute walk (425 meters) from the venue
• Bournemouth Square – about an 8 minute walk (471 meters) from the venue

Several bus lines stop near the BIC:
More Bus routes: 1A, 1B, 1C, 5, 5A, 13, 13A, 16, 18, 22, 33, 50, 70, M1, M2, N1, N2, N5, U4, 737

Arriving By Train:
The Bournemouth International Centre is located 1.3 miles from Bournemouth Train Station (approx. a 28 minute walk).

Arriving at the Venue

Please enter the building via the front doors on Exeter Road. There is step free access from both the car park and the pavements, leading to four sets of double doors with a power assisted entrance to the left-hand side. Please note that you may have to queue to enter the building and these queues can, at times, be quite long.

Please be aware that all visitors are subject to a search prior to entry. We have an accessible search lane on the left and if you require assistance please speak with a member of staff.

Should you have any queries or require assistance when you arrive, please see our staff on the Reception desk in the main foyer.

Assisted Entry: If you have difficulties with queuing due to your disability, please contact us on access@bhlive.org.uk to discuss how we can best assist. Please note that we are unable to offer early access to the main arena hall.

Around the Venue
Our foyer has ramped access from the street or steps with handrails. These lead to the front entrance. The set of doors to the far left are power assisted. Once inside the foyer, we have ramped access to the bars and concession stands. There are escalators and lifts available to reach the upper level. The lift width is 110cm. On the upper floor we have a passenger lift to reach the upper balcony seating areas. This lift is 90cm wide.

Facilities: We have 7 accessible toilets spread throughout the venue and located on all floors. Standard door widths to these toilets are 80cm. On the ground floor, located near Doors 3 & 4, we have a changing places facility. It is larger than a standard wheelchair accessible toilet and includes a hoist. You will need to provide your own sling please.

Food & Drink: The BIC has concession stands around the venue and all are either on level access or via lift/ escalator. There is a restaurant with ramp access at the front of the venue, next to the Box Office. All of our bars and concession stands accept card and contactless payment. Our Foyer bars have lowered counters at the central and far right bars. Please note that we do not allow food and drinks to be brought into the venue, only items purchased on the premises may be consumed. If specific items are needed due to a medical condition, please see section 11.

Merchandise: Our merchandise counter is located in the main foyer as you come through the front doors. It can get very busy and queues during the incoming and interval can be very long. Staff are able to offer support should you need it and queues are shorter during the performance. It is accessible from all parts of the building via ramp, escalator or lift access.

Performance Environment

Artists performing at our venue bring their own lighting, sound equipment and crew to operate it. As such, we have limited influence over sound and lighting levels. We do monitor sound quality and decibel output. Whilst there is no legal limit on maximum volume levels, we do have ear plugs we can offer should you require them. Some performances may contain strobe lighting, lasers, smoke and other special effects. Please ask a member of staff if you have concerns over any of the show’s content.

Hearing Assistance

The BIC is fitted with a Sennheiser Mobile Connect System.

It is a Wi-Fi based system that allows users to connect and listen to the show via the Sennheiser MobileConnect app on their own mobile phone which in turn links to either their digital hearing aid via Bluetooth or through cabled/Bluetooth headphones.

Before you arrive at the venue, download the Sennheiser MobileConnect app from the app store on your device.

When you arrive at the venue:

1.Join the Wi-Fi network _BIC_MobileConnect using the password obtained from the venue
2. Open the Sennheiser MobileConnect app
3. Select the audio channel for the hall you are in, ie. Windsor
4. Connect your headphones or hearing aid to your device via Bluetooth or cable
5. Click the listen button

Our staff will be happy to explain how the app works if you need help.

Assistance Dogs

Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are welcome at our venue, just be sure to let us know they are coming so we can advise on suitable locations where your dog can stay with you. We advise that the performance space can be very loud and busy, and we ask you to consider whether this environment is suitable for your dog.

Hidden Disabilities

The BIC recognises that not all disabilities are visible. We support the sunflower lanyard and all staff are trained to recognise it and offer support should it be needed. If you would like to contact us to discuss any concerns or requirements or for additional information, please get in touch via access@bhlive.org.uk and we will be happy to assist.

Medical Requirements

Customers who need to bring in medical equipment, medicines or a small amount of food or drink to manage a medical condition are asked to contact us in advance via access@bhlive.org.uk. This is to avoid any security related concerns and ensure you can relax and enjoy your evening.

Medical Assistance

We have trained first aiders and paramedics on duty for all concerts. They can be summoned by asking a member of staff. We have a First Aid room on the ground floor underneath the escalators should you need it.

Quieter Spaces & Respite

If you are feeling uncomfortable or require a break from the crowds, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to find an area away from the performance for you.