Waterman's spin on demolition of his record store

The demolition of a former record store run by music producer Pete Waterman had left him shocked, he said, but with fond memories of its role in British music history.

The Soul Hole in City Arcade, Coventry, was once a hangout, he said, of local band The Specials, who he had helped to promote decades ago.

But the site where he started out as a fledgling DJ and music entrepreneur has now been reduced to rubble as part of a £450m redevelopment plan.

Waterman, who became a household name in the 1980s after producing records by acts such as Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley, said he accepted times "had to move on", and the project could help Coventry "become a modern and hopefully boom city".

The overhaul is part of the City Centre South scheme, the biggest redevelopment project in the city centre since it was rebuilt after being devastated by German bombing raids during World War Two.

Construction is being carried out in phases over the next decade, the first due to be completed in the summer of 2032.

But the loss of a place so entwined in his personal story meant that Waterman's thoughts were turning instead to a point in the previous century.

Waterman, who was born in the city, said Two Tone pioneers The Specials used to spend hours hanging out in the shop.

"It really was a gathering point, and on a Saturday it would be packed from 10 in the morning until five at night, it was incredible," he said.

On seeing video of the demolition he stated: "It's a bit shocking, something that you saw actually built and you're alive to see [its demise] - it's not normally the way things work in buildings, is it?"

Developers are overhauling the area as part of a scheme which includes shops, bars, restaurants and nearly a thousand homes.

That which is making way emerged after Coventry City Centre was destroyed during The Blitz, and was once regarded as pioneering because traffic was kept away, leaving it free for pedestrians.

Coventry was booming at the time, with an influx of workers for its prosperous manufacturing industry.

But a decade or so later, the concrete was ageing, the design including underpasses and confined walkways was being questioned, and with industry in decline and, more recently, changing shopping habits, the area eventually became somewhat deserted.

Plans have been on the drawing board since 2011 and as well as The Soul Hole, a large swath of other buildings have also been demolished with more to go the same way.

Coventry Council's cabinet member for regeneration Jim O'Boyle said he was pleased progress was finally being made.

"It's a massive scheme for Coventry and will completely change the way the city looks and feels and how people live, work and shop in our city," he said.

On avoiding the design mistakes of the past, he added: "Quality is really, really important.

"It will be brick built, every single apartment will have a balcony, that's really important so that people can have open space, and of course 30% of this new scheme will be green and environmentally friendly."

However, the development has caused some upset.

Coventry Market traders have protested, saying they have been cut off during the work and that their business has been severely affected.

They have since been offered support from the council and are promised a prominent position when the work is complete.

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