AN ANNIVERSARY gathering to mark 40 years of the BIC was held by senior figures in Bournemouth. 

David Trenchard, Louis Candal and Michael Filer all played a pivotal role in bringing the BIC to the town centre. 

Mr Trenchard was the former leader of Bournemouth council back in the 80s when the BIC came to the town and Mr Candal was the general manager of the Pavilion, Winter Gardens and Bournemouth Pier. 

And Mr Filer served as a councillor for 34 years, including serving as the mayor in 1984/85, but said he was “in the right place at the right time” when the BIC was opened. 

All three men took part in years of debate at the council and the financial preparation to ensure that the cost of some £17m was available mainly by the council selling property assets. 

Today, the BIC welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually, and it has seen big names such as Bob Dylan, Oasis, Sir Elton John, Tom Jones and many more.