Local businesses in Twickenham and the surrounding areas have come out in support of the RFU's planning application to increase the number of concerts held at the Allianz Stadium.

In June 2026, the RFU submitted a planning application for a staggered and phased increase in non-sporting event days from 3 event days to 15 event days.

Scheduled during the summer months when there is less pressure on local travel infrastructure, the proposed additional concerts could bring some of the biggest stars in music to south-west London.

The increase in concerts at the Allianz Stadium promises to act as a "further boost" to the local economy by increasing up to £28.5million additional spend in the area, believe the RFU.

This additional local spend will provide an important boost to support shops, bars, restaurants and hotels throughout Richmond and Hounslow boroughs in a period when high streets are struggling across the country.

Now, business leaders and local residents are calling on Richmond Borough Council to approve the RFU's planning application and enable further growth in local economy.

James Morgan, founder of Morgan Pub Co, which includes four business in the local area Arthur's Pizza, the Crane Tap, The Sussex Arms and The George in Twickenham said: "As a business owner in Twickenham for over 20 years and a local resident for 15 years, I care about getting the balance right between protecting Twickenham as a place to live and allowing it to continue to thrive economically.

"Twickenham has a huge opportunity to benefit from being home to one of the country's major sporting and entertainment venues.

"Visitors coming to concerts don't just spend money inside the stadium.

"They use local transport, visit pubs and restaurants, stay in local hotels, use local shops and spend money throughout the town.

"That wider visitor economy supports businesses of all sizes and, importantly, supports local employment.

"The additional revenue raised by concerts at the Allianz Stadium could make a significant difference to the future development of the grassroots game.

"More investment into facilities, coaching, participation and player development can only strengthen rugby's future and help ensure that more children and young people have the opportunity to get involved in the sport.

"Importantly, the proposal is designed to be phased, rather than moving immediately to the maximum number of events.

"The intention is that increases would depend on events being properly managed, including transport and the impact on the surrounding area."

Bringing some of the world's most popular music megastars will help to strengthen Richmond's position as a destination for culture, argues the Morgan Pub Co.

The additional concerts will also support Richmond Borough Council's growth plan by creating 400 new full-time equivalent job opportunities for residents in Richmond and Hounslow.

1,000 tickets from each concert would also be reserved for local residents, giving them access to some of the most sought-after events in the global music calendar.

According to the RFU, the increase in concerts at the Allianz Stadium will also provide economic benefits to the wider London economy by generating a further £71 million local spend across the capital's economy, as well as generating £86 million in Gross Value Added for the UK economy.

Alan Rides, CEO of the West London Chambers of Commerce, said: "The stadium is well established as an event venue and has now built up an in-house commercial department with the skills and responsibility to lead events with increased accountability and consistency.

"There are tangible socio-economic benefits to the borough which local businesses cannot do without to survive in the tough economic conditions.

"Not only does the Allianz Stadium programme of events contribute positively to the local community, they also encourage inward investment to the borough, enabling Twickenham and Richmond to be an attractive place to live, work and visit.

"Each year, events support employment across construction, operations and hospitality, whilst creating opportunities for local suppliers. Onsite operations also rely heavily on local procurement, including cafes, supermarkets, hardware stores and other small businesses situated around the stadium.

"Events also provide employment, volunteering, and learning opportunities, particularly for young people, including apprenticeships, placements and mentorships, fostering local talent and careers."

Martin Goldthorpe, Manager of the Discover Twickenham Business Improvement

District, which includes over 200 businesses in Twickenham added: "The Allianz Stadium is a prized asset to the town, bringing year round footfall, supporting our hospitality businesses and providing employment for many local people.

"We fully support the expansion of non-rugby events to bring even more footfall into Twickenham and to add additional revenues to our hospitality businesses that have economically suffered post Covid.

"Discover Twickenham have worked closely and meet regularly with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to ensure that all events run smoothly and any concerns from our businesses are addressed. The RFU also get involved in Discover Twickenham BID activities and annually sponsor the hanging baskets throughout Twickenham town centre."

Dafydd Thomas, General Manager at the Turks Head pub in Twickenham explained that for his business the increase in footfall from the extra events at Allianz Stadium would take minimal effort to prepare for and allow for more employment.

He commented: "As a local business, we already deal with significant volume of customers on sporting days.

"We successfully run these, with no complaints from our neighbours. Most local businesses have go to plans that involve security/ plastics/ reduced trading times, to mitigate disturbance on these events.

"It would literally cause us 0 effort to add more days into our calendar.

"The positive effects it has on the community and business are immeasurable.

"At a time when hiring staff is difficult due to the costs attached, and local youngsters begging for employment, it would give us an opportunity to hire more people.

"Businesses need this extra revenue in order to survive the quieter periods, which unfortunately due to the climate of the world right now are only becoming more and more. "

Locally based photographer, Stephen Lloyd said: "I have been fortunate enough to witness firsthand how an event day is organised and managed, especially how the RFU works with the Metropolitan Police, Transport Police, Fire Service and Ambulance Service to keep the public safe and crowds moving.

"This experience demonstrated that the RFU would be well positioned to coordinate and manage any incidents during an event day.

"Additional concerts at the Allianz Stadium would provide great benefits to the local hospitality industry, additional employment opportunities, and increased spending across local businesses.

"Richmond borough has a strong connection to the Arts and a rich history of live music in the local area.

"Enabling a few additional concerts allows that heritage to flourish, denying them acts to reduce something that makes the area special.

"I fully support the application to increase the number of non-sporting events at the stadium as I know from experience the controls are in place around the stadium.

"When combined with the financial and cultural benefits the area gains the only sensible economic and practical answer is to allow the events."

The Richmond Borough Council Planning Committee is due to rule on the RFU's planning application later this autumn.

READ MORE: RFU plans for 15 concerts a year at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium divide residents.

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