Almost 30 residents in Highbridge are up in arms over the appearance of a new tattoo shop that has opened next to a busy roundabout in the town.
They are unhappy about the painted shopfront of The Devil’s Work Tattoo Studio, which has opened in Church Street, next to the busy A38 roundabout.
Highbridge district councillor Joe Leach, pictured, has received 28 complaints from local people and is taking up the matter with Sedgemoor’s enforcement team.
“I have received a large number of complaints about this business, which some residents feel is putting a bad reflection on Highbridge,” Cllr Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“They argue it is out-of-keeping with surrounding properties and while no-one wants to stifle new businesses in the town, we do need shops to work with the community.”
He added: “I’m not taking sides over the matter, but am taking forward the concerns of local residents who have got in touch with me.”
Burnham and Highbridge Town Council Clerk Eileen Shaw added that while she has not received any formal complaints regarding the shop, she has also spoken to Sedgemoor District Council about its appearance.
“I have asked Sedgemoor’s enforcement team to look at it because town councillors have not received an application for a change of use,” she confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com.
Not all residents are concerned about the shop, though. One local, Sarah Berryman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com she welcomes it opening.
She added: “I love the new tattoo shop and think it’s a brilliant replacement for the boarded-up premises that was there before – it’s great that new businesses are opening in Highbridge.”
