Tattoo parlour in 'no-brainer' victory

Published on Monday 28 April 2008 10:46

THE owner of a tattoo parlour is celebrating after councillors made the "no-brainer" decision to keep him in business, against the wishes of the city's education leader.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren had lodged a formal objection to a licence application by the Red Hot and Blue Tattoo studio, in Brougham Place, even though the shop has been there since 2005.

She raised concerns that pupils from Boroughmuir High and St Thomas of Aquins High School "may be" walking past the premises on a daily basis.

Last week, councillors on the licensing sub-committee agreed to grant the shop's licence after being satisfied that it was operating properly and within the law.

The shop's owner Paul Slifer, 38, said: "We've got a result and I'm absolutely delighted.

"I believe (Cllr) MacLaren's objection was based on prejudice. There are professional, educated people working within the tattoo industry and it was her attitude I found objectionable.

"This has been a big time-waster for us and the committee as well.

"There were a lot of smirks coming from the councillors – it just looked like a no-brainer to them. It was a shame everyone got the run-around."

He added: "We've always practised to the very highest standards, so we feel like we've been a bit unfairly singled out."

The parlour was forced to apply for a licence under new rules brought in to monitor tattoo artists last year.

Cllr MacLaren said today: "If the committee has said it's reassured, then I have great faith in the committee."