An Edinburgh concert venue has unveiled its new public wing, following the completion of a major multi-million pound refurbishment of the Grade A-listed building.

The renovation of Usher Hall, which has received funding from a range of public sector organisations, has included the creation of a new café and bar area, an expanded box office area and new hospitality spaces. Work on the construction of the new wing has formed the second phase of a three-stage scheme; the first of which was completed in December 2000 to provide a new stage and the installation of removable seating.

Phase two, which has cost around £25m, has included the public wing, expanded cloakroom and toilet provision, refurbished dressing rooms and enhanced protection of the venue's acoustics. A purpose-built education space has also been created as part of stage two, while the third stage is currently ongoing and involves public realm improvements adjacent to the venue.

Deidre Brock, culture leader at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "Audiences have been flocking to the venue in their thousands since we reopened for the Edinburgh International Festival's (EIF) opening concert and this event to unveil the brand new wing is the penultimate step towards the completed project in the summer." Scottish Enterprise's director of business infrastructure, Pamela Woodburn, added: "The Usher Hall is the venue for the most prestigious concerts held during the EIF and therefore plays a key role in the economic success of Edinburgh's festivals programme."