Mina Pasquet, left, business owner Reda Karim and Paulina Chalvbinska with the signs outside his St Sampson’s shop that were at the centre of a planning dispute. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0853855)

BOULANGERIE VICTOR HUGO owner Reda Karim has finally won permission to keep his painted signs.

After knock-backs from the Environment Department, Mr Karim launched a petition to see how islanders felt about the signage outside his St Sampson’s shop which he had been told he must remove.

He had vowed to close up and sack staff if the department forced him to remove his trademark paintings, which he argued were tasteful, unobtrusive and popular. And his conviction that the public wanted them to stay proved to be founded.

‘We have 3,600 signatures – it’s enormous,’ he said. ‘It is unbelievable and we are all very touched to have been given so much support.’

Environment released its U-turn verdict last week, he said. ‘There is no doubt that this is because of the petition and the voice of the public.

‘The shop and the staff will stay to continue doing what we have been doing right. There is nothing greater than public pressure to change things.’

He was grateful for the decision. ‘The outcome is a sign of the Environment Department’s understanding and we appreciate that. We also deeply appreciate every signature – it shows to us that our team do something right.’

The Egyptian-born local businessman of 25 years said the business could now develop.