THE association of a Hampshire regiment has been forced into a u-turn over a controversial Winchester café.

Former soldiers of the Royal Green Jackets hit out over the Falling Plates Café, which opened its doors in Peninsula Barracks, off Romsey Road.

They say the café’s name refers to stationary targets at a shooting range and is disrespectful.

Lt Col John Poole-Warren, chairman of the Royal Green Jackets Association, had earlier said there was no need for the eatery to be renamed.

But in a letter to veteran Keith Egan, seen by the Hampshire Chronicle, he confirmed the name would be changed. But neither a new name nor a date for the change has yet been chosen.

Steve Barrett, who toured Northern Ireland with the regiment in the 1970s, said: “I’m just delighted the Green Jackets have backed us.

“I’m delighted that common sense has prevailed.

“We have not got any grudges against the café owner, I am sure once the name is changed we’ll use the café at Green Jackets reunions in the future.”

Annette Bergen opened the café in April less than a year after co-founding a similar venture in Fulflood, called Leaf & Bean.

She told the Hampshire Chronicle if she had known the name was contentious, she would not have chosen it.