[4] It was originally run by volunteers and faced closure in its early years until the Poet Laureate John Betjeman had the building locally listed.

[6][7] When managed by Hampshire County Council the centre faced closure again in 2007 until public protests forced the decision to be reversed.

[5] Every year since 2006 the West End Centre has held the Summer Westival which creates an indoor music festival complete with real grass throughout the venue.

[4] Performers who have appeared at the centre include Andy Parsons, Matt Forde, Sam Simmons, Roger McGough,[5] Seann Walsh, Stewart Lee, Adrian Henri,[5] Shappi Khorsandi, Miriam Margolyes, Omid Djalili, Dara Ó Briain, Jimmy Carr, Dave Gorman, Tony Hawks[8] Daniel Kitson,[9] Simon Munnery, Nish Kumar, Phill Jupitus, Justin Moorhouse, Pete Firman and Al Murray.

[10] Bands who have appeared at the WEC include Blur,[5] Happy Mondays, Stone Roses, Spiritualized, A, Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers,[11] Peter Green, Chas & Dave, Foals, The 1975, Biffy Clyro, The Temperance Movement, Nine Below Zero, Funeral for a Friend, PJ Harvey, The Xcerts and We Are the Ocean.