PLANS to inspect body piercing firms will cut down on botched jobs, a city tattoo parlour owner says.

Mick Durham, who runs Oxford’s Tiger Lily tattoo and piercing studio in New Road, welcomed Oxford City Council plans to regulate body piercing.

But he said mobile operators – which will not be covered by the plans – must be regulated too.

Premises will need to register, pay £200 plus £100 per staff member and pass an inspection to get a council licence.

Mr Durham said: “We see a lot of people coming in with botched piercings which they expect us to sort out for them.”

He said of mobile operators: “There are far too many of them out there, there is a plethora of people springing up. People want to give it a go.”

Scarring and infections from wrong sized or badly placed piercings are common, he said.

The new powers will also cover semi- permanent make-up and tattoos. Mr Durham said: “You can have a tattoo that looks good for a few months but gradually gets worse and worse.”

Welcoming the plans, Mr Durham added: “There needs to be more accountability on tattooists.”

Warren “Bugs” Jeffrey, of Headington’s Black Mamba studio, said: “It will keep everyone up to standard.

“If you are not using the proper equipment and you are not trained it is risky.”

The council is planning to take on powers allowed under the Local Government Act 2003.

Department of Health spokesman Claire Rogers said: “Mobile practitioners are subject to health and safety at work legislation.

“Under this legislation, local authorities have enforcement powers to use if they judge that there is a risk to customers’ health and safety.”

Council spokesman Louisa Dean also urged mobile practitioners to register for council inspections voluntarily.

She said: “We would recommend being registered so that practices and procedures can be assessed and guidance given.”

The powers being sought are not in response to specific concerns, she said, but to ensure customers have a “safe experience”.

One complaint had been received since Jan 2009 but was found to be bogus, she said.

Studio owners who not register face a fine of up to £1,000.

* An online council questionnaire on the issue is running until March 12, at tinyurl.com/7836pnk