Building work on an iconic former music venue in High Wycombe has started in the same week as the death of its legendary promoter, who brought groups like The Sex Pistols to the town.

The infamous and much-loved Nags Head pub, in London Road, is set to be replaced by 21 flats, with music fans calling it the end of an era.

The start of the redevelopment work coincided with the death of one of the pub’s best known names, Ron Watts.

From Thin Lizzy, Status Quo, The Damned, Police and U2, Ron brought them all and many more to High Wycombe, with each group marking the moment by signing the famous green room wall.

At the age of 73, the father-of-five passed away in Dorset – his new home after spending decades in High Wycombe - following a long illness.

Renowned for its big name acts, The Nags Head was Ron’s spiritual home with thousands regularly cramming inside the loft to hear the latest hits.

Music fans reminisced this week as they thought back to the 1960s and 1970s when the favourite night spot was a thriving business.

For 25 years, Ron ran gigs out of The Nags Head, initially promoting the venue as the Blues Loft.

As well as his time in High Wycombe, Mr Watts is well known for his time promoting at the 100 Club in London’s Oxford Street and in particular helping to organise the Punk Festival of 1976.

Punk rock expert and radio DJ Andy Chalk, who will present a music show on Wycombe Sound later this year, declared Ron’s death as a sad day in the town’s history.

He said: “The Nags Head was just one of those absolutely amazing places to go to. At the time I didn’t really realise how lucky we were.

“I would regularly go to watch some of the biggest names alongside 2,000 people in High Wycombe and that was all down to Ron.

“Looking back at some of the big names he is worked with, it’s incredible that he brought them all here.”

Sadly for most, the pub was forced to close down in 2012 and after a long-running planning battle it is now set to be lost forever.

The site was boarded up earlier this month, with work now starting on extending the former building and converting it into 13 one-bedroom flats.

A new three-storey block comprising eight one-bedroom flats will also be built behind it.

  • Mr Chalk will be revisiting music from some of the great names to perform in the town as part of his radio show. You can email your contributions to contact@wycombesound.org.uk