Shop owners in a Hampshire market town have said they are overwhelmed by the support shown after plans to tear down the “love shack of Bakery Lane” were quashed.

The two shop owners said they have been shown much love and support by Petersfield residents, both during and after the fight they had with planners to block a scheme that would have seen their unique shops torn down.

Bilsen Gonul, owner of Fez and Bazaar Restaurant, said: “The unwavering support of the community has been mind-blowing. I didn’t realise how much they love us.”

Kristina Cousen, owner of The Blacksmith’s Daughter florist, said: “The support has been overwhelming and fantastic, making me very emotional.”

The landlord’s planning application to replace Turkish eatery Bazaar and The Blacksmith’s Daughter, was refused on February 20 by East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee, by six votes to three.

Applicant Heinz Naef wanted to replace the two buildings with one single-story retail unit, housing a bicycle store and toilets, but the layout meant that Bazaar and the Blacksmith’s Daughter would close.

The three-year planning battle has involved three planning applications, the first also refused at appeal. 

Ms Cousen added: “It’s been very difficult trying to run a business with that hanging over your head. Not being able to accept weddings or events because you don’t know if you’re going to be here to do them.

“It’s been a very stressful and traumatic time. In terms of buying, not fresh flowers but buying all the other things and stock – how much do you buy? Silly things like letter headed paper – do you have it printed?”

Mrs Gonul said: ”Fez is connected to Bazaar and is the function room. Knocking it down would affect Fez and we would lose three employees. The meeting was tense, we thought we would lose at the beginning because of how they were talking. In the end, we won on being a heritage building.”

Ms Cousen said some of the planning committee had only walked by outside, they hadn’t been in to see how “unique” and “special” her shop was – it was referred to as a shack. However, because Bakery Lane has been shown so much love, she is embracing the word and calling it the “love shack of Bakery Lane” with “rustic elegance”.

She said her staff are knowledgeable and passionate about the flowers and what they make with them and working with customers. 

While Mrs Gonul said when Fiona Bruce was in town for Question Time, she was delighted with discovering Bazaar where she and her team came to eat.

Ms Cousen said it’s hard to know what’s next, saying: “We are very pleased and grateful for the result, it is touching in difficult times.”

Since the win last Thursday, Ms Cousen said: “We have received cards, letters, bottles of champagne, wine, Facebook and Instagram exploded with messages of congratulations. People are still coming in today saying how pleased they are that we are still here.”