A popular barista who was told he could no longer operate his business is “over the moon” after the council changed its mind.

Alessandro Pinna, who runs Madre Tierra coffee kiosk outside Walthamstow Central Station, was given just two weeks’ notice by Waltham Forest Council that his licence would not be renewed.

After 38-year-old’s plight was raised by the Guardian over 100 people signed a petition to save the father-of-one’s business.

But on Thursday, he was told Waltham Forest Council is allowing him to stay. 

Mr Pinna said: “My wife and I are over the moon and I am so grateful to everyone for their help.

“It has been incredible and people offered to write letters to the council for me.

“You think London is a big city and everyone keeps to themselves but Walthamstow is different.

“We have been blown away with the response and I just want to hug everyone.”

READ MORE: Barista feared he would have to emigrate after council closed his business

The authority had told him that they would not renew his trading licence, because a member of the public complained about his coffee truck parked on the footpath.

But it has now agreed to renew his licence, which expires on October 31, for another year.

He had feared he would be forced to move his family - including wife, Jessie, a student, to his native Italy if he could not find another job.

Mr Pinna said: “Now that we can stay in Walthamstow my wife can continue her studies and we can achieve our dreams here in London.

“I would like to give something back to the community now and if there is anyone going through something like this in the future I will help them.”

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy Leader and cabinet member for environment, said: “I’m pleased to say that having reviewed the situation we will now be renewing the licence for Madre Tierra as well as two other mobile coffee vendors who operate outside stations in the borough.”