Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Tattoo parlours yet to join hygiene scheme
A scheme set up to rate the hygiene of tattoo parlours in the same way as restaurants has failed to attract a single member in two years.
The city council launched the ratings system in 2015 in the hope it would promote high standards of practice at studios across the district.
But unlike the food hygiene inspections, which are legally enforced through environmental health regulations, the one proposed for tattoo parlours is voluntary.
And studios have not been quick to sign up, with not a single inspection carried out by environmental health officers.
The council hoped the scheme would give reassurance to customers that the operations had well trained staff and were operated safely.
Spokesman Rob Davies said: “There has been quite a bit of interest from studios, although none have decided to formally join the scheme so far. The slow take-up is reflected in the other Kent districts, too.
“However, we have two initial applications registered with us, which are awaiting completion of works before we can go back and rate the premises. We hope this will happen quite soon.
“As with anything, it just needs one or two businesses to sign up, and then we would anticipate interest will gather pace. We will also be giving the scheme further promotion and visiting businesses again.
“This is a growing industry and the benefits to joining the scheme are considerable. As well as a certificate and window sticker, the ability for a studio to demonstrate it is a high-performing business can give it the edge on competitors.”
Any business interested in finding out more should call the council’s environmental protection team on 01227 862000.