A tanning salon has been ordered to remove an 'offensive' window display of a sunbathing woman because it's 'not in keeping' with the image of a historic market town. Malibu Tanning Lounge in Market Harborough, Leics, is locked in a bitter dispute with the local council over its shop frontage featuring a bikini-clad model on a beach.
Owner Jim Cole, 29, paid hundreds of pounds to have the large image plastered across the window last month to provide privacy to customers inside. But he was left stunned when council officials visited his business to say there had been complaints over the display which also required planning permission.
Harborough District Council has now refused a retrospective application on the grounds the images adversely affect the character and appearance of the area. Mr Cole says he now faces having to spend several thousands of pounds redesigning the interior of his shop if an appeal against the ruling is unsuccessful.
