Newbury.net has learnt that plans to rip up two car parks to install a boat basin, pub and restaurant at the Wharf will be launched in the next six weeks, hard on the heels of charm offensives on the Park Way shopping mall and Market Place revamp.

The design has been put together by local architect Patrick Griffin, and the car parks are supposed to be replaced by a multi-storey in the coach park. However, the council has yet to secure funding, and it’s not clear how big the taxpayers’ contribution will be.