Guide to Bournemouth

Bournemouth: Famous for its beaches rather than its sport

BBC Sport Online's Mark Mitchener takes a look at the town of Bournemouth - the venue for this year's Liverpool Victoria UK Championship.

Bournemouth is one of those towns which has never been able to shake off an enduring image in the collective imagination.

But while its sandy beaches and beautiful gardens welcome holidaymakers from home and abroad each year, Bournemouth's story is more complex.

It all began centuries ago in the shadow of its neighbour Poole, which as a major trading port, dominated that section of the south coast.

But as Poole's influence diminished, Bournemouth grew, and the tide had turned by the time Thomas Hardy's novels rather aptly immortalised it with the name "Sandbourne".

Reputation

But despite its 20th century reputation as one big retirement home, Bournemouth has worked harder than most to reinvent itself.

William Hague in Bournemouth

It was vital for the town to move with the times and establish itself ahead of Blackpool, Brighton and Scarborough - which it recently pipped to win Holiday Which magazine's UK Resort of the Year award.

The powers that be have tried to ensure that while Bournemouth must embrace modern times to remain competitive, it should not lose sight of its reputation as a friendly holiday destination for families of all ages.

The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC to the locals) is a recent addition to the town's skyline, only appearing within the last 20 years .

While most of the town's younger population will fondly remember school trips to enjoy its swimming pool (with a wave machine, no less), it has earned a growing reputation as a big event venue - and not just for Barry Manilow concerts every couple of years.

Indeed, two of the main political parties held their 2000 conferences there, while the other will surely return in the future.

Hotbed

And so we come to the Liverpool Victoria UK Championships.

Bournemouth is not known as a hotbed of sporting activity, although the local football league team came within a whisker of folding a few years ago.

However, a supporters' trust fund bought the club on behalf of the local community.

Doubtless, local interest will centre on world number 56 Paul Wykes, who normally saves his best performances for his home crowd.

But is this his chance to make it big? Bournemouth will certainly be hoping so.