Home News North East News

Eaglescliffe tattooist claims council campaigning against him

Mar 15 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

Dave Randall outside his tattoo shop, Crystal Buddha

A TATTOO artist claims town hall bosses want to destroy his fledgling business because the area is too posh.

David Randall, of Eaglescliffe, Teesside, applied for retrospective planning permission for his graffiti-style sign for his business, The Crystal Buddha Tattoo Artist.

But the dad-of-one says he’s learned of a campaign to try and make him remove the sign, a colourful creation painted in bright reds and blues.

A protest against the signage has been spearheaded by the Eaglescliffe and Egglescliffe Parish Council, who have written to planning bosses at Stockton Borough Council . . . and David claims the councillors believe the area is too posh for body paints.

David said: “I was really disappointed when I heard about this, just when I am trying to start a new business.

“It cost me a lot of money to buy top of the range equipment and get set up.

“They are against it because it’s a tattoo parlour, that’s all.

“I do everything by the book. My shop is clean and hygienic, I even pay £10 a week to the council to dispose of the used needles, and then this happens.”

Keep up to date with the news. Sign up for News Alerts

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums