A once-familiar shopfront on Shanklin High Street is set to take on a new identity, as a tattoo studio prepares to open its doors in place of a recently closed barbershop.
Planning officers have approved an application from Duane Sibbick to convert the premises at 52B High Street, Shanklin, previously home to Cassanova Barbers, into a professional tattoo studio. The change marks a fresh chapter for the high street space while maintaining its connection to personal care and artistry.
A New Chapter for a Familiar Space
According to the planning documents, the new business will be a “tattoo studio salon” and is designed to function within the existing layout of the shop. The single-room unit will be divided into a treatment area and a waiting area, ensuring a clean and professional environment for clients.
Importantly, there are no structural or external alterations planned, which means the familiar storefront will retain its existing look—an aspect that played a key role in the application’s approval.
Respecting the Character of Shanklin
Duane Sibbick’s application emphasized the studio’s minimal impact on the surrounding area, particularly its setting within the Shanklin Conservation Area. In his Heritage Statement, Sibbick made clear that the project posed “no impact” on the historic character of the town centre, thanks to the internal-only nature of the changes and the respectful use of the space.
The unobtrusive plan appears to have satisfied local planning requirements, though a formal planning report detailing the reasons behind the approval is yet to be published.
A Positive Sign for Local Business
The new tattoo studio is part of a wider trend of adaptive reuse on high streets, where vacant units are being creatively repurposed by local entrepreneurs. As barbershops, cafes, and retail stores contend with changing economic conditions, the emergence of specialist studios such as this one points to a shift in consumer demand and lifestyle services.
Residents and visitors to Shanklin can expect the new tattoo studio to bring a modern twist to the traditional high street, adding a fresh offering for both locals and tourists alike.
Related topics: