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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Ryan O'Neill

The sad state of the historic former TJs building in Newport as council orders more repair works

The owners of the historic former TJ's nightclub building in Newport have been ordered to carry out repair work - or face further legal action. The legendary former TJs nightclub building on Clarence Place has been idle since 2010 and has fallen badly into disrepair.

It was once the lynchpin of the Welsh music scene - which saw the likes of Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and Hole play there, as well being a key venue for independent and local bands. The former nightclub has been empty since owner John Sicolo died in 2010. There has been little movement since despite reports in August 2021 that plans to transform the site into a budget EasyHotel were at an "advanced" stage.

Newport City Council has previously raised concerns over the "dangerous" state of the building and has taken legal action on the owners on several occasions. It has previously served a Section 77 dangerous structure notice as well as a listed building and unsightly land notice.

Read more: The unseen photos of the wildest nights at the legendary TJs nightclub

And this week the council confirmed it has ordered more repairs to be carried out on the building, including to the fenestration and roof and restoration of the façade. Work is expected to be completed by the end of June and a council spokesperson said it would "continue to monitor the work and progress with a view to taking further action if necessary." EasyHotel did not comment further on the works.

The former nightclub is far from its '90s heyday (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
Repair work is being carried out but plans to convert the building to an EasyHotel are moving slowly (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Previously an appeal from the building's owners was dismissed by Planning Environment Decision Wales and the council was due to take legal action, but this was withdrawn last November after an agreement was reached for work to be carried out.

A Newport City Council spokesperson said: "Newport City Council officers are regularly receiving updates in relation to the works required, including to the fenestration and roof, which a contractor has confirmed will be carried out.

The priority is to ensure the façade is restored appropriately and a stonemason has been appointed by the owners. Officers will continue to monitor the work and progress with a view to taking further action if necessary."

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