A HAMPSHIRE councillor has hit out at a vendetta that he says bullied a tattooist from opening in a well-to-do suburb.

Ian Tait has slammed the “vindictive and outdated” comments of Winchester residents, which he claims forced Rob Barfoot from establishing a store in Stockbridge Road.

Mr Barfoot, 52, of Southampton, had asked planners if he could open a tattooing, body piercing and jewellery parlour in the former premises of Threshers.

But Cllr Tait said residents’ “orchestrated campaign” had a significant impact on Mr Barfoot’s decision to pull the application at the last minute.

This was despite Winchester planners recommending it should be approved.

“I think it was an orchestrated campaign to bully Rob out of taking the premises,” said Cllr Tait, who represents the St Michael ward. “He’s got an excellent reputation and he’s a thoroughly good guy.”

More than 40 householders wrote to Winchester City Council objecting to Mr Barfoot’s change of use bid, with many claiming there was already a tattooist nearby.

Among them was Dr James Read, of Fairfield Road, who told planners: “As a GP and parent – aware of the infectious and mental health effects of tattooing and piercing – I urge you to refuse the application.”

Katherine Schnuppe, of Stockbridge Road, said: “The proposed business will attract predominantly young people hanging around on the terraced area and street corner outside this premises while having piercings and tattoos and probably smoking and using language which you would not want schoolchildren to hear.”

Anne Arthur, of Western Road, said: “This shop would not be of any benefit to the local people, and would lower the tone of a very desirable neighbourhood.”

Cllr Tait, responding to the objections, said: “These comments, in my mind, were more than silly, they were vindictive.

“They have got very outdated views of tattooists, they’re now a fashion accessory and the majority of the population have them.

“Tattoos are accepted as an art form and the fact we have got one in Parchment Street speaks volumes.”

Mr Barfoot, of Thornhill, Southampton, who has 25 years experience as a tattooist, has since opened a store half a mile further down Stockbridge Road, away from the suburb’s residential area.

He said: “Bullied is too strong but I think there was a vendetta behind it.

“I was despondent and I was thinking I wanted to knock on their doors and explain I was a normal guy.”