A hotel chain has scrapped plans to transform a former Welsh nightclub. The former TJ’s Club in downtown Newport has been empty since the death of former owner John Siccolo in 2010.

Formerly a staple of the Newport social scene, hosting artists such as Oasis and Manic Street Preachers in their heyday, and dedicated to supporting the local music scene, easyHotel has diversified into a budget hotel. In 2019, plans for a 58-room hotel were approved with cross-party support.

But now a representative from easyHotel has confirmed that the company is no longer interested in renting the building. “We had previously considered working with the building owner and franchise partner to convert the building into an easyHotel, but we have since stopped those discussions and easyHotel is no longer involved in the process,” they said. For the latest Wales news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter.

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In May, the owners were forced to repair the “dangerous” building and were threatened with legal action. Newport City Council previously announced the dangerous Section 77 structure following several previous warnings.

This work continues with the restoration of the facade and the appointment of a bricklayer, with the sealing of the building’s facade being removed. Newport Council says its leaders continue to monitor the work “with a view to taking further action if necessary”.