Southwell's Epona Art & Tattoo, Waterloo Yard is first tattoo studio in Newark and Sherwood to receive five-stars in Nottinghamshire Hygiene Accreditation Scheme

A tattoo studio in Southwell has become the first in Newark and Sherwood to receive a five-star hygiene rating.

Epona Art & Tattoo, Waterloo Yard, off King Street, achieved the top rating in the Nottinghamshire Hygiene Accreditation Scheme, which has been implemented by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Theresa Gordon-Wade (above) who has more than 27 years of tattooing experience, opened Epona Art & Tattoo in 2015.

She said: “We are really proud of our five-star rating and we encourage other tattoo studios to sign up for the scheme too.

“Tattooing breaks the skin’s barrier and can present a risk of infection if it is not performed in a safe and sterile manner. We take every possible step to ensure that we operate in a hygienic and safe environment to protect both ourselves and our customers.”

Mr Roger Jackson, chairman of the district council’s leisure and environment committee, said: “Well done to the team at Epona for achieving the top rating in hygiene.

“At the district council, public safety is at the heart of our strategy and we are urging all businesses in the district that use needles and blades to sign up to the scheme.”

The scheme operates voluntarily and works in a similar way to the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, which gives accreditation to cafés and restaurants.

To apply for the scheme in Newark and Sherwood, visit: https://bit.ly/2APQx7z