Primarily conceived for music and drama groups, the space has been flexibly designed so as to be equally useful for the meetings, conferences, exhibitions and functions of other local bodies.

The move is part of a tradition of the RFU supporting local projects. In recent months alone the RFU has hosted events for local schools, Richmond and Hounslow councils, the police, play centres, arts groups, workshops for young people and development trusts.

However, it is the connection to local arts that has inspired the idea of the performance arts centre. The RFU already sponsors several local groups including The Twickenham Operatic Society, the Richmond Concert Society, the Children's Shakespeare Company and the Twickenham Choral Society.

Francis Baron, Chief Executive of the RFU said, "The brief to the architects was to come up with a scheme where everyone benefits - English Rugby will, at last, get the national stadium it deserves and there will be tangible benefits to the local people who live close to the stadium. From our existing strong links with local arts groups we know that there is a crying need for the performing arts centre and it seemed too good an opportunity to miss."
Gill Wade, President of the Twickenham Operatic Society said, "This is great news for everyone interested in performing arts. Twickenham has no such facility and after the long promised arts centre on the riverside failed to materialise this is welcome news indeed.

There will also be an increase in the number of tickets available for purchase by local residents for major England internationals.