The old soldiers will be out in their finery on July 17 - but councillors are hoping to be well underway spending £600,000 of taxpayers’ money on banning cars and repaving the square.

West Berkshire Council has been briefing retailers and businesses about its plans ahead of a “public consultation” exercise to start in two weeks.

But council engineers quashed concerns that the veterans would have to march through a building site, and promised to clear away the piles of building materials.

Since Newbury.net first revealed details of how another car park was to go, and cars banned from Wharf Street and Mansion House Street, the council has been ‘consulting’ with shopkeepers and others about the radical plans.

The market will move into the Wharf from July to November. This will also apply to the monthly Farmers Market held on the first Sunday of every month.

Objectors speaking on the newbury.net forum have claimed it’s a fait accompli, and questioned why another £600,000 is needed on top of the £400,000 spent six years ago on the Market Place.

By banning cars from Wharf Street and the Market Place until 6pm, hundreds more cars will be forced to use Bear Lane junction at rush hour.

But unless objectors are successful in scuppering the plan, the market will feature a fountain, benches and trees, and open-air events will be encouraged.