TJ’s lives to fight another day as the legendary live rock venue goes under the hammer again

One of the most iconic rock venues in the UK is to go under the auctioneer’s hammer for the second time after a previous sale fell through.

Newport’s legendary TJ’s 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, is again up for sale by Paul Fosh Auctions – the guide price is £175,000.

Paul Fosh, Managing Director of the eponymous Newport based auction house, said: “The property created a great deal of interest from right across the country and internationally when it was for sale last time through us, however, sadly  that deal fell through, as happens sometimes, and TJ’s is once more for sale – it’s a kind of encore.

“The property offers tremendous potential. In addition to the ground floor former night club area there is living accommodation on the first and second floors with potential to convert the whole property into apartments. There is even a roof terrace to the rear.”

When TJ’s was for sale  in September bidding started at £160,000 and the property was finally knocked down after keen interest from a number of potential buyers in the room for £242,000 to a Cardiff bidder.

Mr Fosh said: “The sale of TJ’s generated a lot of genuine interest the last time it was listed with a few bidding against each other at the end. I’m hopeful those that were disappointed last time will attend this time to get a second chance to buy this truly iconic and historic building.”

Last time the property was bought by a Cardiff man and his father who, immediately after the September sale, said they planned to convert upstairs to residential and create a ‘TJ’s themed restaurant’ below in the former club.

TJ’s is reputedly the spot where tragic Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain proposed marriage to songster Courtney Love after her performance there with her band Hole.

Paul Fosh said: “There’s little doubt TJ’s was an iconic and well known rock venue attracting some major bands especially in the 90’s.  It would be great, romantic even, for someone to buy the building and for it to continue its use as a rock venue but that sadly seems unlikely to be the case.

“The building needs plenty of work and, realistically, is much more likely to be acquired for use as mixed use residential and retail, subject to planning. I have had a great deal of interest in the property especially from local people looking to redevelop the property in that way.”

TJ’s is listed as a lot in the Paul Fosh Auction which will be held at the Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East, Llanedyrn, Cardiff on Thursday, December 8, starting at 5pm.