Former TJ's owner's daughter upset at Newport arson attack

3:50pm Sunday 3rd February 2013 in News

Former TJ's owner's daughter upset at Newport arson attack Former TJ's owner's daughter upset at Newport arson attack

A SUSPECTED arson attack at the former TJ's nightclub at the weekend has left the former owner' daughter devastated.

Firefighters battled the blaze at the club, in Clarence Place, Newport, at 2.08am on Saturday which is believed to have been started on the third floor of the three-storey building.

No-one was in the building at the time and the fire was put out by 3.53am.

Following the incident Leanne Jones, daughter of the late former owner of TJ's John Sicolo, said she was "heartbroken" at the news.

She said: "I am devastated. All I've ever wanted is the club back.

"I wish I could have it back to bring it back to what it was. I would love to have the chance to make it alive again."

TJ's closed in 2010, shortly after the death of Mr Sicolo, who ran the club for more than 40 years.

Acts which played at the legendary venue over the years included Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream, Oasis, Green Day and Catatonia.

The club was later sold at auction but has remained shut up since its closure.

Speaking about the club and Mr Sicolo, Ms Jones added: "I really think if I could get it back, I could get help with it. The people of Newport miss it and miss him.

"That was his life. That was him. You didn't have TJ's without John and you didn't have John without TJ's.

Anyone with any information on the incident should call Gwent police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Comments(8)

scraptheWAG says...
5:05pm Sun 3 Feb 13

that street is so run down (like the rest of the port) does anyone notice I really think you could actually explode a grenade in newport and nobody would actually notice some of the pubs are so run down you struggle to notice if they are still trading

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JENKO1965 says...
7:47pm Sun 3 Feb 13

its sad to see this place going to ruin, why they didnt let leanne have a go at it i dont know, it would probly still be open now, and the council would be getting a regular income out of it as well, it may not have been the prettiest pub in newport but it outlasted most other night clubs that have been and gone and was always a good night out, but looking at the rest of the empty building cropping up everywhere else it town it seems as though the council just dont care

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Kestra99 says...
10:33pm Sun 3 Feb 13

It is very sad, that some vandal/vandals have done this, and a shame the person who bought it, gave up on it before it even started!!! My heart goes out to Johns family, as I knew him as a very dear friend, and frequented TJ's, and his other venue Langton's, the acts were superb, and the atmosphere out of this world!!!

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ianzemma says...
7:54am Mon 4 Feb 13

if she wanted it that badly then she should've bought it!

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corpamassive says...
7:00pm Mon 4 Feb 13

I thought secios was a shithole,always swimming in **** with a crap sound system and duty free cans !!

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Limestonecowboy says...
8:14pm Mon 4 Feb 13

JENKO1965 wrote:
its sad to see this place going to ruin, why they didnt let leanne have a go at it i dont know, it would probly still be open now, and the council would be getting a regular income out of it as well, it may not have been the prettiest pub in newport but it outlasted most other night clubs that have been and gone and was always a good night out, but looking at the rest of the empty building cropping up everywhere else it town it seems as though the council just dont care
Council to blame? this is a private property.

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angry12 says...
10:17pm Mon 4 Feb 13

I must say corpamassive you are entitled to your opinion but TJ's played a big part in not only my youth but many many others! Whilst it may not have been the cleanist club it was ( because of John ) one of the most welcoming! That is why the legacy of John should live on!

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smokintheweed says...
12:43am Wed 6 Feb 13

corpamassive wrote:
I thought secios was a shithole,always swimming in **** with a crap sound system and duty free cans !!
In someways you could argue that but at the same time it attracted some famous bands, made some bands through publicity and attracted a lot of customers.

It was pretty grotty, but you cannot argue that the place was successful for quite a few decades.

Perhaps you should stick with the Greyhound?

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