Market Harborough tanning salon to keep bikini image on shopfront

Malibu Tanning Lounge have named the star of their front as "Lady Malibu"

A tanning salon owner has been told he can keep a large image of a sunbathing woman on the front of his store.

Market Harborough District Council told Malibu Tanning Lounge that their shop front should be removed after receiving complaints it was "offensive".

Owner Jim Cole says an agreement has since been reached with the council to keep the picture, which he affectionately calls "Lady Malibu".

The shop has created a border to reduce the size of the picture.

Mr Cole had been told to remove the imagery due to concerns about the impact on the town's conservation area.

But the owner defended the picture, saying it was important to keep it for the privacy of his customers.

Harborough District Council had said the former frontage detracts from the local conservation area

"The good thing is that the picture is still full scale, just with a border around it, so people can't see inside the shop for privacy, which is really what we wanted," he said following the adjustment.

"It's a good compromise.

"It's just a shame I've had to spend £1,000 to get it done, and it's money spent that realistically we are trying to hold on to as we don't know what's happening in the world."

Another image of a man wearing a pair of tight shorts appears to have been covered under the new border.

A council spokesperson said: "We are pleased the business has found a solution that retains its presence whilst reducing the amount and impact of signage.

"The changes are in keeping with the Market Harborough Conservation Area."