Spare room tattoo parlour shut down in Northampton after council swoop
An illegal tattoo studio in a spare room has been closed down in Northampton and more than £2,000 worth of equipment seized by environmental health officers.
The studio, in the Spencer area of Northampton, was not registered with the council.
The equipment was seized on Thursday last week (March 17) by Northampton Borough Council environmental health officers, who worked in tandem with Northamptonshire Police.
A council spokesperson said evidence is being considered for a potential prosecution.
The seizure was the first made by Northampton Borough Council under public health legislation to control the spread of disease.
The cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health, Councillor Alan Bottwood, said: “Council officers carry out regular inspections of registered tattooists in order to maintain hygiene levels and public health.
“We would urge anyone considering having a tattoo to check that their tattooist is registered in order to avoid serious infections caused by unhygienic practices.”
Anyone running a tattoo business must register with their local council or risk being caught, having their equipment removed and destroyed, and possible prosecution.
To register email [email protected] or do so online at: http://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200063/licences_and_street_trading/57/skin_piercing_registration-tattooists_ear-piercing_electrolysis_and_acupuncture