Every business signed up to a new voluntary hygiene inspection scheme run by Dudley Council to help people decide where to get tattoos and piercings done has received a five-star rating.

The local authority has awarded full marks to all six businesses it has inspected since its introduction at the end of last year. The scheme allows people to check the hygiene ratings of businesses online before they get their tattoos or piercings. It also inspects those which offer semi-permanent make-up such as microblading.

Similar to the food hygiene ratings system which has been running for a number of years, it aims to raise hygiene standards in the borough and help ensure members of the public are well informed when deciding which studio business to use. The scheme is voluntary and businesses have to apply to be part of the ratings system.

Scoring top marks so far are SS Tattoo in Kingswinford, Lye Tattoo Studio, and Black Magic Piercing Studio in Brierley Hill. Three businesses which offer make-up also got five stars – Zoell’s in Quarry Bank, Brows & Lashes by Nadia in Stourbridge, and Jessica Williams Aesthetics, based at Klassics in Wall Heath.

A number of applications have been received from other businesses which will be dealt with by inspectors in the coming months. Simon Spencer, proprietor of SS Tattoos in Kingswinford, said:

“We’re fully behind the scheme and we’ve found it’s actually helped us. Since we got the five-star rating the number of people coming through the doors for tattoos and piercings has actually increased.

"They’ve said the five-star rating is one of the reasons they chose us over other businesses. It gives people reassurance and peace of mind that they are coming somewhere where they do things properly, which we do.

“I would urge all proprietors to get their names forward.”

Councillor Peter Miller, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:

“Often people go for the places that offer the cheapest deals or the best artwork. Hygiene is such a massive issue and should be part of that decision-making when choosing somewhere to get a tattoo or piercing.

“We’d welcome businesses to sign up to this new scheme, that way people can look them up on our website and choose somewhere they know is clean and safe.”

When business apply, environmental health officers will visit the firm to carry out checks, based on national guidelines for hygiene. The business will then be given a rating from one to five depending on how well they score – with five being excellent and one requiring major improvement.

Businesses will also get a window sticker and a certificate to display to customers. Visits will be made annually to ensure the information is up to date.

People will be able to see the scores of all businesses by visiting www.dudley.gov.uk and searching for ‘tattoos and piercings’.