Grantham tattoo studios achieve highest hygiene rating

Two tattoo studios in Grantham have achieved the highest hygiene rating after joining a district council scheme.

The studios joined South Kesteven District Council’s tattoo hygiene rating scheme in June and have both scored the highest possible ‘very good’ rating of four.

Tom Wilson and Isobel Ashwin from Natural Selection, on Huntingtower Road, and Tom Morton from House of Colour, on Guildhall Street, gained the highest rating.

The scheme, the first by an authority in Lincolnshire and only the second within the East Midlands, was introduced following a trade workshop for the 13 registered studios in the district.

Inspections took place earlier in 2015 and the council published ratings for each studio from four, very good, down to one, needs improvement.

SKDC’s business manager for environmental health Anne-Marie Coulthard said: “The scheme exists as an independent view of tattoo studio hygiene in the district and we’re pleased studios have chosen to join it.

“Whilst all studios are inspected, the rating scheme allows us to reward studios which are able to meet the necessary criteria.

“Tattooing has become very popular and it’s important that we work with national bodies to ensure the industry is better regulated. Such rating schemes are proven to drive up standards and are good for business.”

All studios must by law be registered with the council and are currently inspected annually.

To join the rating scheme is voluntary. To see which studios are registered and rated visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk

Studios with a hygiene rating also receive a window sticker. You can expect studios with a good rating to display their stickers prominently on their premises.

For more information on the scheme or anyone who suspects that illegal home tattooing is taking place in South Kesteven should call SKDC on 01476 40 60 80 or email ehs@southkesteven.gov.uk