A FORMER Southampton vape shop could be turned into a tattoo and piecing studio should plans be approved by civic chiefs.

Mind, Body and Soul on Bitterne Road West is now permanently closed, but plans have been submitted to Southampton City Council detailing proposals to turn the former shop into a tattoo and piecing studio.

Previously, the premisses in the Bitterne Precinct has been used as a beauty salon, called Mind, Body and Soul, a betting shop, and was most recently Way2Vape, a store which sold e-cigarettes and vape liquid.

The plans state that the area will be used for the process of tattooing, above body piecing and beauty treatments, which will all be carried out on site.

The proposals show plans for a tattoo shop, Alien 8, which is owned by Shaun and Emma Bremner.

Shaun has been a tattoo artist for six years and currently has his own private and fully licensed studio on Moorlands Crescent.

The 44-year-old said: "I have a private studio and we've put in the application to get our own shop.

"I've had my private studio for a while and it would be quite a lot for us to get this up and running."

Plans show that the front area of the store would be used as the shop front and the tattoo area.

A preparation area would be towards the back of the shop, with a piecing area located at the rear of the property.