A BRIDPORT office is to be converted into a tattoo studio.

Dorset Council has agreed the change of use for 50 South Street, close to the zebra crossing, which was previously used by estate agents.

The planning consent has been granted to local man Mr Phil Gibbs who trades as Stand Proud Tattoo in Chancery Lane.

He has told the council he has been in business locally for 13 years.

“The shop will consist of two artist areas with a small waiting area, all shop installations will all be carried out to a high standard and conform with current hygiene standards. Once completed the studio will be registered with the local health department who we work closely with to keep to current regulations. Both local artists are currently fully registered with the local health departments and have many years of experience within the industry. Our trading hours are 11am-6pm Tuesday-Saturday. Having grown up in Bridport, and being in the tattoo industry for around 15/16 years I aim to continue to provide a high quality and professional service to the local area, as well as continuing to bring new clients to the area,” said Mr Gibbs in his application.

Several residents from Bridport and nearby villages wrote to support the application, which also won the backing of the town council.

Said one: “As someone who has a passion for art and have some tattoos myself, I fully believe that the addition of a tattoo shop in the high street would be of great benefit to the town. As seen in other local town, for example Weymouth and Dorchester, they bring in people from all around, near or far and a town like Bridport should relish the chance to have a shop like this down the main street! Not only for the opportunity to have some great, local, artists doing their own very skilled work, but also for the fact that Bridport needs some diversity and not just your typical town with coffee shops, pubs and your other ordinary run of the mill shops.”