BH Live (Leisure, International Venues & Events) goes live

On Saturday 1st May 2010 the management and operation of the following facilities will transfer from Bournemouth Borough Council to BH Live (Leisure, International Venues & Events), a new company, limited by guarantee (with Charity Commission status pending).

Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)
Pavilion
Littledown Centre
Pelhams Park Leisure Centre
Stokewood Leisure Centre
Sir David English Sports Centre
Kinson Swimming Pool

BH Live has been established as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) and will be working in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council to deliver economic, cultural, physical and health related benefits to residents, communities, businesses and visitors to Bournemouth. BH Live will also promote community participation in healthy recreation and the provision of facilities for leisure, arts, culture and heritage.

Also launching on 1st May is BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, which is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation (BH Live), established to manage the non charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions at the Bournemouth International Centre.

In each of the BH Live venues, customers should see little change, with the strong individual venue and facility brands remaining, existing websites continuing and services operating ‘business as usual’.

Peter Gunn, Chief Executive for BH Live said: “BH Live is a new organisation, however, we are in a very fortunate position to already have well established and recognisable brands, coupled with experienced staff in all of the venues who are incredibly passionate about the facilities and services that are delivered. It is our aspiration that BH Live and its individual venues will continue to be recognised by our customers, clients and business partners for the range and delivery of quality leisure, cultural and event experiences alongside conference and exhibition facilities, that are currently enjoyed by over 3 million people a year.

Nick Billington, Chairman for BH Live added: “This is a very exciting time indeed for Bournemouth. I am incredibly impressed with the range of award winning facilities and events that BH Live offers, which are already amongst the best in the country. BH Live has a set of highly focussed objectives to help improve the health and wellbeing of Bournemouth residents and visitors, by encouraging more participation in leisure activities and promoting more access to cultural events. It will also continue to run world class conferences and contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors and delegates to the town. Working with the high calibre board of trustees, who are bringing with them a wealth of business and community acumen, we are delighted to be able to help shape and develop the organisation to achieve these aims.”

Background information

BH Live (Leisure, International Venues & Events)

More Participation
Higher Audiences
Greater Economic Benefit

Award winning venues - The Bournemouth International Centre was short listed for Meet England’s Business Tourism Award by South West Tourism Awards 2008-2009. It was also short listed for the World’s Best Congress Centre award according to world industry association, the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC). For more information on the BIC and Pavilion please visit the website: www.bic.co.uk.

In 2008, the Littledown Centre was awarded an 'Excellent' Status scoring 92%, from Quest, a quality accreditation scheme. In the same year, the Littledown Centre also ranked as one of the top performing leisure facilities in the UK by the Sport England National Benchmarking Survey for Sports and Leisure Centres. In 2008 Stokewood Leisure Centre was awarded a Highly Commended status, scoring 80% from Quest. It was also ranked as one of the top performing leisure facilities in the UK by the Sport England National Benchmarking Survey for Sports and Leisure Centres and won two awards for Customer Satisfaction and Access Performance.

BH Live will provide the management and operation of the Bournemouth International Centre, Pavilion Theatre, Littledown Centre, Pelhams Park Leisure Centre, Stokewood Leisure Centre, Sir David English Sports Centre & Kinson Swimming Pool delivering:

High quality conference facilities for large national and international associations, political parties and corporate clients
An extensive range of sport, recreation and leisure facilities, with a national reputation for excellence
Theatre and large cultural event provision for audiences ranging from 250 to 6500
Exhibitions, trade shows, catering events and a range of support services to promoters and clients

About the Board of Trustees: BH Live has attracted a high calibre board of trustees with a wide variety of skills in business and the community, who will work with the BH Live executive management team to develop the strategic direction of the new organisation and ensure that the charitable objectives are met. Members of the BH Live Board are:

Chairman - Nick Billington, Management Consultant
Robert Boulton, former Police Divisional Commander for Bournemouth
Rosemary Darby-Jenkins – Director of a Human Resources consultancy
Philip Dewhurst – Marketing/PR consultant
Professor Stella Fearnley of Bournemouth University
Lyn Glass, former Personnel Director
Sandra Graham; Solicitor
Martin Kimberley, Chief Executive of Active Dorset
Alison Logan, from the RNLI
Michael Wright, Managing Director of Newsquest Dorset
Councillors Robert Chapman and Michael Filer

Plus Independent Board Member of BH Live Trading Subsidiary for Conferences & Exhibitions:

Gina Mackin – Managing Director at Best Western Montague Hotel who will be joined by Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Councillor David Kelsey and Councillor Bob Chapman; together with 4 members of the main board including the Peter Gunn, Chief Executive of BH Live.

BH Live (Leisure, International Venues & Events) goes live

VENUES

SERVICES