The £9m extension of The University of Edinburgh’s John McIntyre Conference Centre has been given a royal seal of approval in an official opening by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Visiting the Centre, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor of The University of Edinburgh, was given a tour of the multi-million pound development, met some of the staff and unveiled a special plaque to commemorate the venue’s official launch.

Operated by Edinburgh First, the University’s conference, catering and events arm, the newly extended building is now able to host 350 delegates theatre-style with four breakout rooms, two boardrooms, a flexible lounge area and an open air terrace. The venue’s ground floor also contains a new restaurant seating up to 650, with an adjoining bar and lounge. Chris Barnes, Assistant Director of Business Development, said: “Business tourism such as this is worth an estimated £300 million to Edinburgh and the Lothians each year and we are confident that this significant investment will help to increase our share of this valuable market.”