The legendary TJ’s, arguably one of the most iconic rock venues in the UK, has been sold at auction.
The Newport rock venue, at 14, 16 and 18, Clarence Place, Newport, which closed last year after the death of its long term owner and promoter John Sicolo, had a guide price of £175,000.
Bidding started at £160,000 and it was finally knocked down for £242,000 to a Cardiff bidder after keen interest in the days before and a flurry of bids in the packed Park Inn, Cardiff, auction hall.
Paul Fosh, Managing Director of the eponymous Newport based auction house, said: “There was a great deal of interest leading up to the sale of what was an iconic club in Newport. In the end a satisfactory price was achieved for my client with the sale.”
The Clarence Place property was bought by Cardiff man Ozzeer Hassan and his father Mehmood with plans to create residential space upstairs and a restaurant in the former club below.
Mr Hassan said: “We want to preserve the TJ’s image with a themed restaurant.”
Mr Fosh said the TJ’s property offered tremendous potential. In addition to the ground floor night club area there is former living accommodation on the first and second floors with potential to convert the whole property into apartments. There is a roof terrace to the rear.
The TJ’s night club is reputedly the spot where tragic Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain proposed marriage to songster Courtney Love after her performance at the Newport nigh spot with her band Hole.