Plans for a Tesco to open a branch of

Timpson have been scrapped - after locals rallied to protect the local cobbler.

Villagers in Bishops Cleeve launched a petition to block the supermarket's planning application for the key cutting and repair store.

Locals raised worries for the cobbler shop Macdonald.

Owner of the 30-year-old shop Alan Macdonald said the new unit would be placed across the street and make it "difficult" for his business."

Resident Gemma Surman decided to start a petition asking the supermarket to withdraw the planning application.

The petition promoted on social media collected a total of 1,000 signatures.

When the application was due to be discussed at a parish council meeting, Tesco confirmed it would not be progressing.

Alan, 62, said: "It is a weight off my mind. I don't make a massive amount of money here. I make a living. "

"Even a small amount of my income that disappears would make it very difficult to survive. "

"If Timson's did go in it would perhaps be more convenient for some people to park and do their shopping and go there. "

"As soon as it hit Facebook the community went mad. Gemma set up a petition and that's got over 1,000 signatures."

"I think the planning application itself got about 80 objections - not just about me."

"It is a bigger thing more to do with small high streets that are populated by small community minded"

businesses disappearing because big multiples come in and swallow them up.

"They just come in and take over, push up rents and it is not good for small businesses that are trying to make a living."

Three months ago Alan heard rumours that Tesco were going to apply for planning.

But due to the close knit community the villagers united and showed their support for the traditional cobbler shop.

Gemma promoted the petition on community social media groups.

Gemma said: "Small businesses rely on the community and the community needs to stick together and promote it."

Alan's grandfather opened a cobbler business in 1930s in Mary Hill Road in Glasgow and then he died in the 70s and his father took it over.

He remembers helping his father as a youngster in the shop.

When his dad's business fell over he decided to join the family trade in 1995 and open a shop in Bishop Cleeve.

He offers services such as shoe repairing, key cutting and replacing watch batteries.

He continued: "My dad used to take me to the shop as a youngster at the age of 5 and he would give me little jobs to do like inking around the edges of shows, things that were harmless. "

"My father died very young at the age of 45 when I was in the army. His business in Glasgow folded so I was wanted to start up in his name. "

"In 1995 I established this shop here in Bishop Cleeve 30 years ago."

"I've become part of the community now and it's a lovely place to live in. People are so supportive. "

"I can't see me retiring anytime soon."

Tesco confirmed that it is withdrawing the planning application and did not specify if this was due to the petition.