THE relentless resurgence of the fortunes of Newport has led to an iconic building in the heart of the city becoming the location for an ‘edgy’ new lounge bar and restaurant project.

Newport businessman Lewis Lewis and his business partners Niche Hospitality Group have selected Clarence House as the setting for his Mojo The Food Bar.

Where the Mojo lounge bar and restaurant will be on the site of the former Newport restaurant Rossini's

The former Rossini’s Italian restaurant on the ground floor of the tower block is being completely transformed to bring a taste of London’s on-trend Shoreditch to Newport.

Lewis said: “Mojo The Food Bar will bring something completely fresh, new and innovative to the city of Newport.

“It’s edgy and out there. It will bring a feel of London’s Shoreditch street food scene to Newport at a time when the city is really on the up with the development at Friars Walk and the myriad other schemes in and around the city.

“I’m from, live and work in Newport. I am thrilled to see how the city, at long last, is being transformed for the better. There can be no better time to demonstrate support for the rejuvenating city than now which is why I’ve decided to open Mojo in the city.”

Mojo will be an eclectic mix of restaurant and bar with a mixologist, sourced from London, solely employed to mix cocktails. The seven-day-a-week, 70-cover operation, which will serve food all day from breakfast onwards, will have top DJs performing on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Bar food, drinks, waiter served drinks and full meals will all be on offer. At the end of their evening guests can be whisked back to their NP postcode home in a Mojo-liveried Mercedes S class vehicle.

Lewis said: “We are just a short stroll across the river from the Friars Walk scheme with its impressive range of shops and restaurants. We expect to benefit from this new development and the people it attracts but, as an independent operator, we will be offering something completely different to the national chains.

“Some of the products we will be offering aren’t available other than in London. Drinks for example. We will also be supporting local businesses by using locally-sourced and made products - for example we have a local manufacturer of red and brown sauces which will be available for our breakfast customers.”

Lewis, who estimates he will be ploughing some £130,000 to create Mojo, says 15 full-time and another six part-time jobs will be created. He said he was hoping to attract a renowned head chef to Mojo.

The Mojo Food Bar is due to open on Saturday, August 1, although there are due to be some ‘dress rehearsals’ of the concept prior to the official launch.