City-based tattooist blames government ‘bias and lack of understanding’ for being unable to re-open yet

Although many hospitality and service businesses have been allowed to reopen under guidance from July 4, people such as tattooists, nail bars and beauty salons have not, due to the close proximity of their work.

Hayley Evans runs her own Woodston-based tattoo studio, Ink Imaginarium.

She expected that tattoo studios would be given the go ahead to open on July 4, along with hair dressers and barbers, but said: “I was shocked and sad to hear that I wouldn’t be able to start working on July 4.

“We {tattooists} already follow strict hygiene guidelines. We wear gloves, we wrap and disinfect every surface between clients, use disposable tools where possible and sterilise those which are not disposable.

“This is one of the reasons why tattooists hold a license - so that we can keep our clients safe on a day to day basis. All it takes is for us to add a couple of additional pieces of PPE and we already have safer environments, more experience in hygienic practices and better training in cross contamination than most hair salons.

“At most I see three clients a day, whereas bigger hair salons could see 10 times that, maybe more. It makes absolutely no sense that tattoo studios cannot open when hairdressers and pubs can.”

Considering why tattoo studios have not yet been allowed to open, the mum-of-two from Hampton says: “I genuinely think it is down to bias and a lack of understanding on the part of the government decision makers. Tattoo studios have long been regarded as

underground, risque places, visited only by ‘undesirables’. I thought this perception was changing, but perhaps I am wrong. Many of my clients are professional women, working in engineering, teaching and insurance. Nothing like the ‘typical’ client that the government are maybe imagining. Tattoo studios are legitimate businesses and should be treated like it.”

Ink Imaginarium had not completed its first year in business before lockdown, but despite this the business is a finalist in two categories in the Peterborough Small Business Awards.

“It was a real high to find out Ink Imaginarium was a finalist in two categories,” Hayley recalls, “It’s hard work being self-employed and sometimes you dont know whether you’re doing it right, so in a way being a finalist feels like a huge amount of recognition. As far as I know I’m the first tattooist to be recognised in this way and I’m really proud to be raising the profile of tattooing in such a positive way in Peterborough.

“I’ll only get one shot at the New Business category so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

Her other category is Creative Business and she says: “I know I’m up against some fantastic businesses, but I’ll always remain positive. I’m truly thankful for the support of my lovely clients with regard to the PSBA nominations keeping my Facebook community thriving and helping to keep my morale up during lock down.”

Currently, tattoo studios in England still do not have a proposed opening date, despite studios in Northern Ireland opening on July 6.

“Not knowing when I can open is one if the hardest things,” says Hayley. “I have three months worth of bookings to reschedule and I can’t do this until I have an opening date. I have to say my clients have been very understanding, which

has helped. Fortunately I have been able to focus on some sideline business activities during lockdown so that has helped financially, but there will come a time when it’s not viable to keep renting the tattoo studio space while it’s not in use. I just hope we get an update from the government soon.”

You can read more about Hayleys feelings on her blog here.