A married couple who opened a new tattoo studio in Sunderland say they have been "blown away" by the response from customers. Til Death Tattoo opened on August 8 and specialises in traditional, fine line, Japanese and illustrative tattoos.
The studio is the brainchild of husband and wife duo Rhiannon and Thomas Goldsmith. It employs seven people, made up of five tattoo artists, a piercer and a nail tech. Before opening the studio, Rhiannon ran her own tattoo studio, Black Widow Tattoos, at the North East BIC, where Thomas also worked.
Dream of Working Together Realised
The new studio has helped the pair realise their dream of going into business together. "We've been blown away by the response so far, particularly from the number of people who have just popped in from off the street," Thomas, from Seaham, said.
"When we were initially searching for a unit, we were living in Boldon and commuting into the outskirts of Sunderland, so the city centre hadn't really crossed our mind. We saw this unit pop up however and even though it needed a lot of work doing to it, we were really won over by the area and the potential we saw in it."
Transformation of Sunniside
Rhiannon, from Sunderland, was impressed by the pace of change Sunniside has experienced in a short period of time. She said: "I remember when they installed the fountains and steps around the corner and it had just started to brighten up the area around the gardens and the old post office, but when we came back to view the store, I couldn't believe how much the entire place had changed.
"It's such an up and coming, cool area now. Mackie's Corner has helped bring in loads of quirky independent businesses and then you've got Sunniside Social which is underway opposite us, Pop Recs and the new housing at Nile + Villiers. It just feels totally different."
From Dance Studio to Tattoo Shop
The unit was previously a dance studio but had sat empty and required a lot of work to get it ready for opening. It became a labour of love for the two artists, with every minor detail from the internal beams and fixtures to the signage and windows being replaced or refurbished.
"We wanted a challenge and it certainly didn't disappoint," Rhiannon said. "The inside of the shop needed to be fully fitted out, all of the electrics needed re-installing and we had to replace the shutters and a window. Thankfully we both love decorating and working from a blank canvas.
"We were also keen to work with local creatives which was what inspired us to onboard local sign painter, Mango Signs, to help make it look like a proper, old school tattoo shop. We couldn't be happier with how it has turned out and the feedback we've received. It has made it all worthwhile."
Council Support for High Street
Rhiannon and Thomas were supported during the move by the Economy and Place Directorate at Sunderland City Council through its Sunniside Shop Front initiative. Cllr James Jackson, Cabinet Member for Business, Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: "The Sunniside Shop Front initiative was established to help make our high street more vibrant and attractive and Til Death Tattoo is a perfect example of how it is doing just that.
"The couple have transformed a shop which was in dire need of restoration into a thriving studio which has helped attract yet more people to Sunniside, while helping to really brighten up High Street West. We are delighted to have been able to support them on their journey and wish them the best of luck for the future."
