A tattoo and piercing studio in Huthwaite has become the first Ashfield business to achieve an excellent five-star hygiene rating.

Eternity Tattoo and Piercing Studio ltd of Sutton Road, Huthwaite recently proudly accepted the award for their high standard of hygiene within their practice. The business hosts multiple services within the property from beauty treatments and nail treatments by Michelle Wesson, hair extensions by Amanda Shepherd and sun bed tanning services, all under one roof.

Nottinghamshire’s Hygiene Accreditation Scheme, introduced across the county last year, aims to improve and maintain hygiene standards within the tattoo and piercing industry.

In doing so, it aims to minimise the risk of infection and infectious disease arising from treatments associated with the industry.

The scheme was designed by Environmental Health Practitioners from eight Local Authorities from within Nottinghamshire, following consultation with tattoo and cosmetic piercing practitioners in the local area.

Sarah Barsby, Business Owner of Eternity ltd, and her husband Carl Barsby, Studio Manager were very happy to receive the top rating as it highlights the attention to detail the team pride themselves on.

They said: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to achieve this accolade and we’re really proud to be the first in Ashfield to do so. The industry is forever changing and hopefully it will prompt other studios to do the same.

“There can often be grey areas within the industry so although this scheme is currently only voluntary, we hope it will one day become mandatory just like food premises. That way the general public will experience high quality services every time.

“We believe that Eternity Ltd is a studio with a difference taking the industry from back street to new age top high quality standards of multiple services and urge other studios to follow suit when it comes to this scheme.”

Carol Cooper-Smith, Service Director for Place and Communities said: “It’s fantastic that a business in Ashfield has reached the highest standard of hygiene. I’m sure there are more businesses out there who are capable of achieving a five-star rating.

“I would like to congratulate Sarah and Carl for the continued hard work they put into making their establishment as safe and clean as possible.”

Other businesses in Ashfield can apply to be rated as part of the scheme by getting in touch with Ashfield District Council’s Environmental Health Team on 01623 450000.