THE demolition of one of Southampton’s oldest heritage buildings is set to start today, Southampton City Council says.

And councillors took to the front of Solent Flour Mills this morning to pay homage to the former Hovis production factory.

Cllrs Sarah Bogle and Dave Shields said their goodbyes and spoke of how the building, which has been based at Southampton Docks for over 80 years, will be losing a piece of the city’s industrial heritage.

Sarah, who is a councillor for Bargate, said: “It’s been a year-long battle. It’s sad - I don’t see why we can’t repurpose it.”

Cabinet member for Healthier and Safer cities, and Freemantle councillor David said: “I’m paying homage to it and hope we aren’t repeating our mistakes of 1989, when the Ocean Terminal was pulled down.”

But port bosses said the space “is needed” to preserve and grow employment in Southampton.