A topping out ceremony at the west's leading music venue, Colston Hall, Bristol, took place on Monday 30 June.

Council Leader Helen Holland and Bristol's Lord Mayor joined John Frankiewicz, Chief Executive Officer of Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd at the ceremony.

The ceremony, which involved the final pouring of concrete to fix the last stone in place, marked a key milestone in the completion of development works to the structure of the new foyer building.

Bristol-based contractors Willmott Dixon oversaw the topping out ceremony.

The £20 million Colston Hall project will create a new foyer complex. Once completed, the foyer will be much more than a pre-concert meeting space and box office, it will boast new meeting, rehearsal and recording facilities, education and workshop spaces, new bars and restaurants, improved disabled access and conference facilities.

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The multi-million pound development project is funded by Bristol City Council and Arts Council England. It is due for completion in early summer, 2009.

The foyer design, by architects Levitt Bernstein Associates, encompasses a glass-fronted building facing on to The Centre. The spacious atrium will be crossed at upper floor levels by bridges connecting new public spaces with the rear of the main hall and other parts of the existing hall building. When completed, it will be a significant landmark building in the city.

Cllr Holland, said: "It is wonderful, today marks another significant step forward for the whole city. I am so impressed with what has been achieved; it just goes to show that our bold and ambitious plans for Colston Hall are paying dividends. Soon we will have a new, iconic landmark building adding to the city’s landscape and giving additional performance, education and meeting space to Colston hall, making it an all-day facility."

(CD/JM)