The Assembly Rooms are lined up for a £10 million renovation that will see the entire building and its facilities upgraded and refurbished, including exterior improvements to both the George and Rose Street sides and the adjoining lanes by 2009.

Inside, flexible seating will be introduced to the Music Hall along with substantial acoustic work. The decorative finishes throughout will be restored and improved. The ground floor of the building will be returned to its original use, with three new shops and a fine-dining restaurant created in the Supper Room. Consultants and management are to review potential quality retailers that will be an appropriate fit with the building.

It is expected that the combination of retail, dining, event and performance spaces will attract visitors and patrons to the Assembly Rooms throughout the day.

The Music Hall in the restored Assembly Rooms will have a capacity of 750.

Here is a breakdown of the current venue capacity at Festival time:

MUSIC HALL 630 seats
SANCTUARY 455 seats plus 15 restricted view seats
BALLROOM 341 seats
EDINBURGH SUITE 156 seats
SUPPER ROOM 150 seats
WILDMAN ROOM 122 seats
CANDLISH HALL 89 seats
DRAWING ROOM 96 seats