A cafe owner who feared he could go out of business because of a rent increase has been given a temporary reprieve after he was granted a business rate discount.

Alaa Habbooby, who runs the Epsom Station franchise of Puccino’s, won huge public backing after he revealed he would struggle to pay the increase.

However, he has since received a letter from Epsom and Ewell Council offering an increased small business rate relief, meaning the cost of running his business would go down for a period of 12 months.

The discount on the levy on small businesses had been announced by central government on March 24 and was maintained by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition government.

Mr Habbooby said: “This is really good for me. I can now keep my business open and won’t struggle too much, even with the rent going up. My customers who have been wonderful and so supportive in these last few weeks will be pleased to know this is happening.”

Last week, almost 800 commuters have signed a petition in support of Mr Habbooby when he was told his rent would go up from £17,000 to £23,100 per year after Puccino’s Worldwide took part in a tendering process by Southern Railway alongside other businesses.

He feared he would have to stop trading, but Epsom commuters, lead by TV producer Michelle Porter, who rely on Mr Habbooby’s service every morning, rallied round him to show how appreciated his services were.

She said last week: “He gives excellent service in the morning. They are always smiling and if he can’t continue trading, I’m sure somebody else will take over and the service just won’t be the same.”

Tony Brogden, a director from Puccino’s Worldwide had assured last week the company would do whatever was in their power to help Mr Habbooby’s franchise remain open.