THE chain store giant Woolworths has refused to let an empty shop it owns next to its Cinderford store because it would attract "undesirable" characters to the area.
Internationally-renowned tattooist Chris Cougar said he found the store attitude "unbelievable" in this day and age.
"I was amazed when they said they didn't want that kind of business next door because it had the wrong image. I found their attitude quite astounding," he said.
Currently working in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Chris is planning to move to the Forest and set up his business – a brother who lives in Coleford has been helping him with the move and he has already found himself a home in the Valley Road area.
After scouting out what he believed was the ideal site in the Triangle he applied to rent the vacant 'to let' premises and learned it was owned by Woolworths.
The local store manager said he was not able to act on the matter which would be handled by their London property agent Andrew Downes. However Mr Cougar's application was turned down.
"I was amazed. It was like being back in the dark ages. They seem to think that all tattooing is about is Hell's Angels," said Chris.
"Nowadays tattooing is quite respectable in society, and besides I do a lot of cosmetic work, for example eyebrows for people with alopecia (hair loss) and matching skin colour for people who have lost areas of pigment or who have scars."
He has been in the business 32 years and his work is displayed on his website, http://www.chriscougar.com">www.chriscougar.com
When the Review asked Mr Downes if a ban on tattoo shops was Woolworths policy he said he was not able to comment.
• The firm's press office later said: "We had a verbal application which we decided was unsuitable."
Chris said he had other premises in mind but nothing would be quite as suitable as the town centre site.