A brand new bar and nightclub is set to open in the heart of Newport next month, it has been announced.
‘Blondies’ will take over the former Sweet Charlie’s and The Celt premises at 21-22 High Street.
Resident DJs Lee and Joleen will be playing 80s and pop party hits when the doors open for the first time on Friday 28th November at 20:00, continuing the party until 03:30 in the morning.
The building has seen a series of changes in recent years. Sweet Charlie’s dessert parlour closed in 2023, leaving behind a £130,000 black hole. It was later replaced by The Celt, an Irish bar, which opened towards the end of 2024 but closed just months later.
In March, a planning application to make alterations to the building was refused by the Isle of Wight Council, despite support from Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council.
Blondies’ arrival follows a difficult period for Newport’s nightlife. Fever, the town’s only nightclub, closed in October 2024 after opening in June 2017. Wyld also announced its immediate closure in December 2024, dealing another blow to the town’s night-time economy.
In August this year, planning permission was submitted to convert the former Fever premises into retail space. Planning documents stated that “there is no longer any demand for the unit as a nightclub”.
The opening of Blondies will be seen as a rare boost for Newport’s late-night scene, bringing new life to the High Street.
It will open every Friday and Saturday between 20:00-03:30.
Good luck to them. I hope it’s a success. There are no nightclubs on the island which is a shame