A COUNCIL committee’s decision to grant an Alexandria tattoo licence to two local entrepreneurs was met with cheers and a round of applause from proud campaigners who backed the proposal. 

The crowd erupted as the applicants, Dane Innes and Natalie Devine, who were able to walk away from licensing committee’s meeting last week without having to plead their case to councillors, were granted the proposal within seconds. 

Dale Innes, Dane’s proud dad, told the Reporter the pair were “ecstatic” with the result and were already hard at work preparing the 121 Main Street shop for its upcoming opening – which they hope will take place in around three weeks’ time. 

He said: “We are over the moon. It was very moving. I held back tears, I know (Ms Devine’s) parents held back a tear. It was awesome, really, really awesome. It just shows you. People who don’t even know us even applauded. 

“We were ecstatic, the kids were ecstatic – it was a great moment.” 

As previously revealed by the Reporter, friends and family of the applicants quickly created a campaign to illustrate the community’s backing for the new tattoo parlour after their licensing application to

West Dunbartonshire Council received three letters of objection. 

The campaign quickly gathered momentum and garnered 250 signatures by last Wednesday’s meeting. 

Two of the letters were then withdrawn, however, in documents seen by the Reporter one objection branded those who attend tattoo studios “rowdy”. 

A letter from nearby tattoo studio Deadly Art’s owner, Ms Law, stated the area “cannot support” two studios in such close proximity and made claims of drug abuse and hygiene issues against the applicants. 

Ms Law also said she would be “forced to seek remuneration” from the council should the committee grant the application. 

However, both objections were withdrawn.

During the meeting, the council’s licensing lawyer, Raymond Lynch, informed councillors Lawrence O’Neill, Jim Finn and Jim Brown, they were unable to refuse a licence based on claims about the applicants themselves leading to their immediate move to grant the application.

The licence marks the end of a difficult period for the pair who have struggled financially since leaving their previous jobs as tattoo artists last year in order to take the plunge by starting their own shop.

The duo claimed they were left out of pocket as they paid their expenses on the council rented shop but were unable to make any income as they awaited the council’s consideration of the objections. 

Mr Innes added: “We’ve been ready for ages but the objections just stopped us in our tracks. 

“It’s just been horrible. 

“It’s put us in the whole a wee bit but luckily family and friends rallied around us.

“We just can’t wait to get things up and running now.”