The Rugby Football Union today unveiled plans to build a new South Stand at Twickenham Stadium. The new stand will replace the existing 21 year old facilities on the ‘fourth side’, making the stadium one of the best in the world.
The plans increase stadium capacity from the current 75,000 to 82,000, incorporate enhanced safety and security measures and improve provision for persons with disabilities and public and corporate patrons. Within the new stand, the RFU will also build a 200 bed hotel, conference and exhibition space, a health and fitness club, office space for the RFU and a new RFU Store – the RFU’s retail and merchandising arm.
The RFU is proposing a package of community measures as part of the scheme. Central to this is a new performing arts centre built within the exhibition space, for use by local music, theatre and drama groups. This continues a tradition of the RFU of encouraging local schools, community groups, and arts groups to use the facilities of Twickenham Stadium.
Francis Baron, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football Union said, ‘We are very conscious that Twickenham Stadium is part of the local community and there are many benefits associated within the scheme. We will be consulting widely on these plans, but I hope most of our neighbours will conclude that any impact upon them is minimal and that the performing arts and other facilities are of real benefit. Hopefully they, like us, will be proud that Twickenham is at the heart of English rugby and of the community.’
The South Stand proposals confirm Twickenham Stadium’s role as a major contributor to the economic prosperity of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the whole of South West London. An economic appraisal by independent consultants, Bone Wells, has shown that the redevelopment will generate 200 full time jobs and mean an extra 105 more staff joining those currently employed on match days. The completed stadium will boost the economy of South West London by approximately £40 million per year.
Digby Jones, Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said, ‘no one should underestimate the emblematic effect of Twickenham on British business, which is so important to the British economy and the image of the UK around our global markets.’
Paul Hopper, Managing Director of the London Tourist Board said, ‘LTB welcomes the plans for the new South Stand. If the RFU is better able to attract a world sporting event such as the 2007 Rugby World Cup to London, the City as a whole will benefit as Manchester have benefited from the Commonwealth games.’
As the new stand increases capacity by less than ten per cent, match-day traffic increases are likely to be minimal for the five or six capacity matches per year. However, as part of the application, the RFU proposes extending the successful measures it has in place to encourage fans to leave their cars at home.
For further information contact:
Richard Prescott of the RFU on 020 8831 6513 /6514/6558/6626
CBI on 020 7395 8001
London Tourist Board Press Office on 020 7932 2041/2055