PLANS to open a new chapter in the history of a well-known city nightlife spot look set to move one step closer.

Last year the Argus reported how extensive work was being done at the site of the former Delilah’s nightclub, in High Street, ahead of a re-opening.

The transformation of the four-storey building, which curves around to the Queensway, was a radical one, with the developers keen to open a venue that would be “food led by day, and playing pop music at night”.

From the outside, at least, work at the site appeared to have slowed down in recent months – however, the approval of a recent planning application covering “a number of details”, including the installation of CCTV cameras and a new sign above the front door, suggests the conversion project is still on track.

South Wales Argus: Renovation work being carried out inside Delilah's in 2022.Renovation work being carried out inside Delilah's in 2022.

The Delilah’s site forms part of the former Tredegar Arms Hotel and Lloyd’s Bank at 54-55 High Street, and is a Grade II Listed Building, meaning Welsh heritage organisation Cadw will also have to give the application the thumbs-up.

The club has also previously been the home of Yates bar.

Work started on the project last spring, and speaking to the Argus at the time, Craig Davies, of the Mainty Group which operates the Silurian Hotel in the same building as Delilah’s, said it was time to bring the venue back to the city.

South Wales Argus: Delilah's in Newport undergoing renovation work in 2022.Delilah's in Newport undergoing renovation work in 2022.

“Since Yates closed, it has stood empty for eight years, almost in a derelict state,” Mr Davies said at the time.

“We were always planning on doing something with it, it was costing us money just sitting empty.

“At first we thought about office space or maybe a restaurant, but people kept asking us if Delilah’s is opening up, and we just thought, heck, let’s do it.”

South Wales Argus: (L-R) Max Kastanje (CEO, Promagem LTD), Mark Dudley (operations director, Mainty), Craig Davies (CEO, Mainty), Dominique De Jong (COO, Promagem LTD)(L-R) Max Kastanje (CEO, Promagem LTD), Mark Dudley (operations director, Mainty), Craig Davies (CEO, Mainty), Dominique De Jong (COO, Promagem LTD)

He also indicated the new Delilah’s would focus on food rather than late-night parties.

“We’re looking to change that by serving up dirty burgers and cocktails, and high end restaurant food,” Mr Davies said at the time.

“We don’t want it to be a sticky floor nightclub, so we’re hoping to be food led by day, and playing pop music at night.”