THE newly refurbished Bournemouth International Centre is launching a bid to become the venue for live rock gigs on the South Coast with a concert-goer's dream-show featuring festival darlings The Coral and The Bees.

The gig, on Monday, December 12, will be the first concert in the centre's new Solent Hall since its £20 million plus facelift.

BIC management say the concert is part of a series that they hope will make Bournemouth the focal point for rock fans across the region and beyond.

With a 1,500 to 2,000 audience capacity, the Solent Hall - which has been developed on the site of the old swimming pool - will compete directly with South Coast venues like Southampton and Portsmouth Guildhalls and, closer to home, Lighthouse at Poole.

"We want to make the BIC the venue of choice to see the biggest and best live bands," said entertainments boss Chris Jenkins.

"We have an exciting programme for the Solent Hall and hope that a bill like The Coral and The Bees will show the direction we're going in."

The Coral, who have had a hugely successful summer on the festival circuit, have recently released their third single from their Magic and Medicine album, Secret Kiss.

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