Twickenham Stadium Future Secured as RFU Nears Agreement with Richmond Council
The future of Twickenham Stadium looks a lot more secure this week after signs that the RFU and Richmond Council are closing in on a new agreement over hosting more non-rugby events. Last month, locals were left wondering whether England’s rugby team might be packing their bags for Milton Keynes or Birmingham after RFU boss Bill Sweeney hinted that talks with the council had hit a wall. Now, though, it appears that Twickenham’s deep ties to Richmond are holding strong.
Sweeney recently confirmed that discussions with the council have been far more positive than some had feared. In fact, he revealed that a recent survey of local residents showed around 75 per cent support for allowing more non-rugby events at the stadium, which could include concerts and other sports fixtures. Speaking about the importance of Twickenham to both the team and the local economy, he said:
“We’ve always said our preference was to remain here, not just for cultural reasons and the history. Hospitality and ticketing are 50 per cent of our revenue and from a geographical point of view, this is a really important part of the country to be in.”
For Richmond residents who value the unique role Twickenham plays in local life, this is good news. It also promises to open the door for further investments, with an eye-watering stadium upgrade project likely to cost more than £600 million. Having a broader mix of events would help fund those improvements without putting extra strain on rugby alone.
As for Chelsea Football Club, who are reportedly searching for a temporary home if Stamford Bridge undergoes major rebuilding, Twickenham might seem like a natural choice. however, Sweeney suggested any move by the football club would likely meet resistance. “Richmond borough is more concerned about that,” he explained. “In terms of impact on local residents, numbers of fans and so on, they’re a bit more sensitive.” While there’s no final decision yet, it’s clear that protecting the character of the area remains high on the council’s agenda.
The EyeOnLondon team will be keeping a close watch on developments. Readers may remember that recent repair work along the Richmond towpath showed just how sensitive local planning can be. Any shift in Twickenham’s use would have a ripple effect throughout Richmond and beyond.
Meanwhile, Sir Bill Beaumont will continue as interim chairman of the RFU, after helping see off a no-confidence motion last month. Sweeney praised the rugby legend’s role in the process, saying: “Bill is a unique character in the English game, so having him on the roadshow was definitely a good thing from our perspective.” A permanent chairman is expected to be in place by the end of the year.
For now, Twickenham remains a proud part of Richmond’s story and it looks set to stay that way, with a few new chapters still to be written.
For more updates on Twickenham Stadium, Richmond news, and what’s happening in your area, visit EyeOnLondon today. We’d love to hear your views in the comments!
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
