Sir,
Regarding the opposition to the Tattoo 'Parlour' in Wallsfield Lane (Tenby Observer, October 22). Forgive me, but the use of the term 'parlour' was last in common useage when Noah was a boy. The current description is 'Tattoo Studio' because what takes place there is art, like it or not.
If Mr. Jones and Mrs. Gallagher wish to voice objections to any aspect of the business, I wish they would do so using their own concerns as to the detriment of their own enjoyment of the area, not hide behind emotive language and rhetoric, citing the primary school nearby.
They say that children should not be 'subjected' to this sort of thing. The children are not 'subjected' to anything.
Maybe they should have asked the headmaster of the school as to his views before using his school as a weapon against us. We did, and he had no problem.
We have traded successfully in Frog Street for the last two years, selling children's and teenagers' clothing, with the tattooing taking place in a separate part of the shop, with no problems whatsoever.
As a father of four, I take offence that these people could even suggest that what we do, and co-incidently, what takes place in Tattoo Studios up and down the land every day of the week, could be detrimental to children, as children are not allowed into the tattoo area.
We have satisfied the licensing authority as to our procedures and there has been not one complaint made to anybody.
I think the crux of the matter is NIMBYISM.
The flat which they co-own has been for sale for some considerable time and they are looking for someone to blame, making spurious claims that the area looks 'seedy' and 'downmarket' whereas most right-minded individuals may call it 'vibrant' or 'buzzing' (excuse the pun).
They seem to take issue with the 'A' board at the top of the lane, but are quite happy to have an estate agent board advertising their prospective sale. Our 'A' board has been used twice, on Saturdays.
The 'A' board for the Valet Centre is always out, and we have been in discussions with Marc Owen in the past regarding the need to balance the requirement to let people know where we are, and the requirement to maintain the appearance of Tenby.
We were all quite happy that a balance had been struck, all it seems except Mr. Jones and Mrs. Gallagher.
They don't seem to like any business operating in the lane; they didn't like the summer car park (everybody else did) and they don't like the Valet Centre. I know this because I've had 'discussions' with Mr. Jones in the past.
What they fail to realise is that the units were there long before the flats and their planning consent is for engineering. They should thank their lucky stars that engineering doesn't return with all the associated noise and congestion. All that they have to shatter their peace on the odd occasion that they visit is the noise of a pressure washer and the gentle buzzing of a tattoo machine.
Steve Davidson,
Rebellion Tattoo
and Clothing Ltd,
Wallsfield Lane,
Tenby.