For many Bristolians, the Colston Hall has become a sort of second home – albeit a rather large second home, with a particularly good sound system.

When you've walked beneath the grand old venue's familiar arches all your life to see your heroes take to the stage, the building takes on a very special charm.

Nobody knows this better than Maureen Rowley. The 58-year-old, from Sea Mills has been a regular at the Colston Hall for as long as she can remember.

But for Maureen the opportunity to listen to live music has particular significance, as she is blind.

Together with her trusty guide dog Gus, Maureen has become a familiar face at the venue, which has just undergone a major renovation, with the addition of a striking, copper-clad new foyer.

The £20-million foyer, which was funded by the Arts Council and Bristol City Council, will start to welcome its first concert goers in September and includes new cafes, bars, education studios and performance spaces.

The extension will be officially opened tomorrow, with the honour of cutting the ribbon being handed to Maureen.

She was chosen after the venue ran a competition asking for people's memories of the Colston Hall.

Maureen wrote a poem about her love for the venue, which stood out from the hundreds of entries that were received.

"I lost my sight when I was 12 years old," Maureen explains. "So my earliest memories of the Colston Hall are visual.

"I remember playing the recorder in the schools' orchestra when I was nine years old. I can remember being excited to be up there on the stage.

"Ever since, I've been a regular member of the audience at the Colston Hall.

"My favourite group, The Spinners, have played there many times, and I also enjoy the Royal Marines' annual Christmas concerts each year.

"Gus enjoys visiting the Colston Hall as much as I do.

"He curls up and sleeps through the entire performance."