Opening a Tattoo Shop in ED

[Otta]

Setting up in the indoor market sounds a good idea, at least for starters.

[sambless]

Hello, this forum isn't a good representation of Dulwich, the majority seem to be Daily Mail sympathisers and will brand tattoo's unsightly and a bad idea. There are two tattoo shops i know of, Kids love ink in Depford and one near the Amersham arms in New Cross. However Kids love ink is known to be pricey, but a good tattoo parlour.

There are plenty of students and young creatives moving to south london, particularly Camberwell, Peckham, New Cross and Depford. Dulwich doesn't have that community, apart from the few lucky ones like me who have found affordable housing here (incidentally i think it's because it is an estate and the estate agent probably felt people living in Dulwich wouldn't rent an Estate).

I don't think it would be particularly well received here, because there is little passing trade from students commuting to uni or young creatives living here. Although you would be able to charge more here, due to the fact there's more people with more money than sense, this would be offset by the amount of people wanting tattoos from that demographic. I think having a tattoo shop in Camberwell would be more successful.

Are you able to do tattoos from home? I have a series of small illustrations of the different houses i've lived in running around my arm, hoping to get my new flat done. I get them done in the place i live, so would be interested if you are able to do mine...

Sam

[red devil]

A mobile business may be the way to go initially, build up a strong client base first, and if that's successful think about renting space or your own shop unit.

I don't think you need to be on a main thoroughfare like Lordship Lane, especially if you've already built up a strong client base who will seek you out...I can't see a tattoo parlour on LL getting much business from 'passing trade'.

I agree with sambless on location, ED lacks the arty cutting edge crowd, 'resting actors' is about as arty as it gets around here.

[iluvcake]

Great idea Pete, really hope all works out for you!

I'll definitely be a visitor :)

[Tony Rabbit]

Good business idea but seriously watch your overheads. You can only do so much needlework in one day which will limit your potential income.

Maybe Northcross Rd, Crystal Palace Rd, Grove Vale, Belleden Rd would be better than the higher rents in Lordship Lane and the premises better suited in size.

Good luck.

[KidKruger]

You'll only find out for sure what the demand is by opening the studio. You could do some market research, stop locals on street etc etc.

I am not a fan of tattoos but I think there are many many people who DO have them and maybe 'collect' them.

One thing that occurs to me is that if ED seems to be an 'untattood' area then surely it's ripe for your art ?!

Don't you want people with space left on their skin for your tattoos ?!

I'd forget renting a shop on Lordship Lane (unless it's something like the old basement premises that was John's records shop, next door to Palmerston). Rents will be far too high IMO. You don't need shop frontage do you - a clear sign and some decent leafleting perhaps could fix you in the locality ?

I won't be going under the needle but look forward to seeing your established parlour still there in years to come.

Take the doubters with a pinch of salt, do your research and go for it if you're convinced it's a runner.

Maybe check where nearest alternative studios are and what kind of competition you'll have..

[Penguin68]

One thing that occurs to me is that if ED seems to be an 'untattood' area then surely it's ripe for your art ?!

If people in ED don't have tattoos I don't think it's necessarily because of a lack of a tattoo parlour, but maybe because they have chosen not to. 'Build a stadium and they will come' was always a mythic film, not good marketing advice. If you haven't done this (apologies if you have) some simple market research - stop likely punters around ED and ask - would be a good idea. You don't have to 'open a studio' to see if there is demand - market research is all about stopping people making costly decisions without the relevant information to hand.

There is some suggestion that the fashion for this type of adornment is beginning to wane - particularly where people are seeing the look of old tattoos on bodies once much slimmer and younger - make sure you are not surfing a dying wave.

[monica]

Having tattoos myself, I have always planned them, as they should be. I have mine done in South Norwood, and it takes me about 6 months to decide what I want, where it is goes, and importantly why I want it. I think in theory its a good idea, however I would be inclined to suggest you have other options. For instance body piercings? Having a tattoo, should be a serious thought out plan, not done on a whim, so tattoo parlours are few and far between.

Just my opinion, hope this helps :)

[bonniebird]

I have 2 tattoo's. I live in Forest Hill and I am a Laydee ;-) If one is a good tattoo artist, people will travel to get inked by you, I think its a great idea. Like someone else said, young people having tattoo's is not a great idea, I waited until I was 40 years old and mine are not in your face, I would like another, but, oh the pain :(

[Otta]

I got mine between 18 and 20, not sure I'd choose them today at 33, but I still love them.

Nothing to do with class though Quids.

I basically loved heavy metal and rock as a long haired teenager, and all my idols had tats.

Same reason Marlboro reds were my first ciggies, and JD was my chosen drink (although I still drink it because I like it, but smoke Marlboro lights these days).

[landellsrd]

thats a frankly disgusting thing to say, what a snob.

[landellsrd]

thats a frankly disgusting thing to say, what a snob.

--- sorry i was referring to SilverFox's comment that it was all a bit 'Peckham.' how vile.

I think it would be a great idea ONLY if the shop was done well, so a bit 'Hope and Greenwood.'

If it was a trendy tattoo parlour then people from all of South London would come to get inked, lets be honest, how much passing trade would you expect whenever you are? people normally think quite seriously before having a tattoo.

So, to recap- do the shop up with taste and flair and it will be a real talking point and attract artistic, fashionable people as well as the more regular football tattoos etc.. Avoid strip lighting, laminate flooring and the like.

If your parlour is cool then people might come in to browse and you can sell other items, like jewelery, magazines and art books etc. Heck, why not have a vintage espresso machine and serve macchiatos and biscotti? - lord knows people come with a mate/ boyfriend and they have to wait hours while their friend is tatted up. Make it like a cool salon that people want to come in, be a part of, hang out. And of course get them to spend money on the extras, like Art/ Photography books, ect etc.. Then you aren't reliant solely on people who want tattoos. If it's a slow day for tattoo's its still a good business day for selling books, artworks etc. Keep the theme vintage/ traditional tattoo style.

Have a look at these shops in the East End.

http://www.thefamilybusinesstattoo.com/

http://www.happysailortattoo.com

Actually go in and experience them. Think lush interiors, vintage lighting, old apothecary cabinets holding jewelry, lovely old standing lamps, Edwardian mirrors... who knows, the choice is endless as to how you furnish it but basically I think a really really cool tattoo parlour would be a total compliment to the William Rose Butchers and Hope and Greenwoods and all other independent clever unique retailers that ED has to offer.

Cheers! :)

[KalamityKel]

And u were mentioning snobbery? :-|

[RosieH]

I like boys with tattoos. Please open a tattoo shop and bring us some long haired dudes.

[Nicholas]

I think you would do quite well in this kind of area. Back in the old days, tattoo shops were a little scary and were only for "hard" people, including the ladies. But now its a different ballgame. Its artistic and trendy to have tattoos now. When I was 18, I had my first tattoo, and then 6 months later I had another one! And when England won the Ashes a few years ago against the Aussies I was so shocked and happy that I had the Three Lions tattooed on my leg! The only thing that worries me is that i might be tempted to do the other leg too, as England won the Ashes again! I think it will do OK.

[Nicholas]

Are we gonna see an influx of yummy mummys with bugaboo's, tattooed up with " I love East Dulwich", not like they used to be eg. love and hate and mum and dad, and hearts with arrows through them. They were the good old days. I wonder if they will come back in fashion?

[Adam999]

I think you'd be better off in Peckham chap, although it'd make a change from another estate agent. In fact if you replaced Foxtons you'd get my vote.

[zephyr]

I am 45 and I had my first tattoo only a year ago. I am looking to get another one - just need to be sure of what I want.

The nearest palour that I know to East Dulwich is on Evelina Road in Nunhead (Fantasy Tattoo - where I had mine done).

It may be worth the OP swinging by there a few times - they are open odd hours but have been there since 1990. I don't know how much trade they get.

[Alan Medic]

Is it? I think it's cheap and demeaning. I realise in this country I'm probably in a minority. What happens though when they are not trendy? I think David Beckham is a disgrace and sets a terrible example.

[Marmora Man]

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> >

> Is it? I think it's cheap and demeaning. I realise

> in this country I'm probably in a minority. What

> happens though when they are not trendy? I think

> David Beckham is a disgrace and sets a terrible

> example.

Agree entirely - and what happens when he skin gets old & saggy? The NHS used to pay for tattoo removals - no longer I hope, repairing self inflicted mutilation is not good value for tax payers money.

I can remember a navy colleague who, as a young and impressionable sailor, had been tattooed on both forearms. On promotion to officer he used a steam hose to burn off the tattoos, reasoning that a burn scar was less unsightly than a Chinese Dragon.

On sailors - it is perhaps understandable, foolish but there is at least a history and tradition behind it for that community. As a fashion accessory it's deplorable.

[Siduhe]

There's a world of difference between someone getting an unidentified chinese symbol stamped on their ankle "because Cheryl Cole has one" and someone who chooses tattoos as body art. I completely agree that the tattoo as fashion accessory is bonkers. However, I know several people with tattoos that are both meaningful/cathartic to them, thoughtful and quite beautiful.

My brother's girlfriend spent several years in Japan during her thirties, and has the most amazing back piece that took about 2 years to finish. She very rarely shows it off, because it's highly personal to her, but can I see her wearing it in her sixties? - absolutely - it won't look the same for sure but it will still have the same artistic qualities.

[Asset]

What a lot of body fascists on here.

So what if people want to get tattoos, either 'artistic statement' or 'fashion accessory'.

Their lookout really isn't it.

[Otta]

Exactly!

[Alan Medic]

pedropowers asked for opinions. He got mine. You don't have to like it.

[Otta]

He asked whether it was a good business idea. That has nothing to do with whether you find tattoos offensive or not.