About the Riviera International Centre

We are a dedicated team working together to provide excellence as our standard to all of our clients

Our values derive from our mission to be of value and benefit to the local Torbay community, so we are constantly striving to enhance our products and services.

Within the Riviera International Centre you will find not just leisure facilities, but also dedicated function facilities able to look after every type of event, from dinners, weddings, concerts, parties, exhibitions, banquets and meetings to large conferences.

Our business is diverse, as are the needs of our customers. For whatever reason you visit the RICC, we wish you an enjoyable experience.

Located in the heart of the English Riviera – South Devon's beautiful bay

Stretching along 22 miles of stunning South Devon coastline, the beautiful English Riviera has been a popular holiday destination for centuries.

Sandy beaches, rocky coves, picturesque harbours and a wonderfully mild climate combine to attract visitors seeking a unique experience.

Visit the official English Riviera Tourism Website for more information about this stunning location.

History How Did It All Start?

The Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC) came into existence after Torbay Council, working with the Tourism Industry in the late 70s / early 80s, saw an opportunity to extend the 10-week holiday season by promoting conferences and events.

The main venues at the time were the Town Hall, the Princess Theatre and the Festival Theatre. These facilities failed to meet the expectations of delegates and conference organisers in comparison with other venues which were being developed, such as the Harrogate International Conference Centre.

A working group of leading hoteliers and councillors formed to explore different options.

The Murrell family, owners of the Rosetor Hotel, generously donated the hotel plot of land to the Council as a potential site for a new centre. This gift is commemorated in the naming of the ground floor meeting rooms as the Grace Murrell Suite.

Module 2 designed the building and project-managed its construction from 1984-87, on the former site of the Rosetor and Roselea hotels which had fallen into disuse in the 70s. The project cost approximately £15m and was partly funded by a European grant of £3m.

When the Riviera International Conference Centre, formally English Riviera Centre, first opened in 1987, visitors paid at turnstiles into the lower floor and walked into a hybrid mix of conference auditorium, leisure pool, sports hall, gym, pool room and squash courts.