Croydon Council’s licensing team has successfully prosecuted the owner of Tales of Inkspiration for operating two unlicensed tattoo studios in the borough.
The licensing team is responsible for ensuring that businesses have the relevant licences to make them safe and compliant with the law. Making Croydon a safer place to live and work is a key priority for Executive Mayor Jason Perry and the council has been working hard to ensure the public are kept safe from harmful practices.
The council brought a successful prosecution against Terry Brown, 41, owner of two unlicensed tattoo studios trading as Tales of Inkspiration, in Shirley Road, Croydon and Godstone Road, Purley.
Mr Brown had been operating Tales of Inkspiration without a special treatments licence at either premises. It is a legal requirement to hold a licence to give tattoos in Croydon. This is to ensure that the operator provides proper sterilisation of tattoo equipment between customers, that tattooists are suitably trained and that the premises is cleaned to a safe and hygienic standard.
Mr Brown was found guilty on 25 February at Croydon Magistrates Court of four offences: two offences of failing to licence a special treatment premises and two offences for failing to provide details of ownership of the two premises.
The magistrates imposed fines totalling £2,000, a victim surcharge of £800 and awarded costs of £3,949.80 against Mr Brown – a total penalty of £6,749.80.
“I want to make Croydon a safer and fairer place to live and work for everyone. This means that business owners must trade fairly and in compliance with the law and to ensure safe standards. We cannot tolerate irresponsible and potentially dangerous trading and will continue to work with businesses to remind them of their legal obligations.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
