Twenty jobs at a popular bar and hotel in Aberdeen were saved yesterday, with permission granted by councillors to keep a replacement marquee up for at least three more years.
The Dutch Mill in Queens Road erected the original structure in 2021, as Covid restrictions hit hospitality.
But Aberdeen City Council ordered it to be removed by the end of January, saying the large white canopy looked out of place in the traditional area.
In a bid to find a compromise, Dutch Mill bosses wanted to put up a smaller grey marquee designed to fit in more.
They also pledged to set it a few feet back from the street and shield it with trees.
The business issued warnings of "considerable" redundancies if the proposal was rejected.
Nearly 500 people wrote to the local authority calling for the replacement marquee to be rubber-stamped.
However, the Press & Journal said things looked bleak last week when the council's planning department said the application should be turned down.
Officers argued that the adverse impact on the historic Albyn area outweighed the benefits to the Dutch Mill.
But members of the council's planning committee yesterday voted unanimously to defy that recommendation.
They all agreed that it was more important to support the firm, after hearing from manager Finlay Cran about the 20 jobs at risk.
Mr Cran said council policy should evolve to meet the changing face of hospitality.
Councillors were also impressed with design changes to ensure the new structure, estimated to cost £30,000, blends in more with C-listed building.
Councillor Jennifer Stewart said: "I'm delighted common sense has prevailed. We are in difficult times."
Councillors were united in their support, pointing out that other Queens Road buildings have modern extensions.