Pets at Home decided on Tuesday afternoon it would not be replacing the popular garden centre after nearly 2,000 users and nearby pet store owners signed a petition against the decision.

Tessa Darling, who lives opposite the garden centre and has been leading the campaign, said: “Prince Charles is a conservationist, I’m sure if he knew Pets at Home was going to lease the centre he would be against it.

“Luckily, this is wonderful news and I am so pleased with the success of our campaign.

“Did Pets at Home and The Prince’s Trust really think they could get away with it? They seriously underestimated the people of Fulham.”

According to sources who have seen an e-mail sent yesterday from Dennis Millard, deputy chairman at Pets at Home, one of the main reasons they pulled out was because independent non-executive director of Pets at Home, Amy Stirling, is also The Prince’s Trust’s chief financial officer.

The 4,157 sq ft garden centre is in a conservation area and users and nearby pet store owners were extremely worried Pets at Home planned to put a car park over the plant area and said a pet superstore belonged on a trading estate not a beautiful conservation area.

The Prince’s Trust refused to comment on whether Pets at Home was ever an option but confirmed the garden centre will still close at the end of the month as the charity needs to focus on supporting disadvantaged young people into jobs and training.

A spokeswoman said: “We are currently exploring options for the future of the centre, which is likely to be taken on by another business. As owners of the site, we are committed to working with future tenants to reflect the character of the local surroundings.

“There has been speculation locally that Pets at Home would be taking the lease, but they have confirmed they have no plans to acquire the centre.”