A TATTOO parlour has celebrated 15 years since opening its doors in 2007.

Flaming Gun Tattoo Studios opened its doors on Church Walk, Colchester, in 2007 and has since been fulfilling the body art dreams of the city’s residents.

The store opened on August 27, 2007, after an eventful holiday to Miami saw owners Julie Clarke and Kai Edwards appear on Miami Ink, where Julie received a tattoo of a flaming tattoo machine.

After returning back to Colchester, the pair decided to open their own studio. Julie’s mum, Brenda, had always suggested a career in tattooing, whilst Julie studied her Fine Art Degree.

Kai had also made a career shift, switching from a welder fabricator to laser tattoo removal and body piercings. He now offers metal art, as part of the parlour's portfolio.

The name originated from local nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, the cannon which is rumoured to have falled off St Mary’s Church at the end of Church Walk, where the parlour is located.

Flaming Gun has also been heavily involved in community projects. Julie regularly provides artwork for the Colchester Brewery for their pump clips.

Julie also provides art for Supershoes UK, a charity which paints shoes for children fighting cancer.

On the anniversary, Julie said: “This also marks my 24th year of tattooing. I think having the break with lockdowns has made me fall back in love with the whole process again.

“We have recently been spending more time covering scar tissue, and mastectomy tattoos, including nipple reconstruction. It is wonderful being able to be part of these people's journey.”

On his career shift, Kai said: “It was a huge change in career 15 years ago, welding to laser tattoo removal. We still mostly remove small tattoos to be replaced with larger pieces of art, and unfortunately still a few ex-partners names."

In a joint statement, the pair said: “We are so grateful for the support and friendship from everyone who has been tattooed, pierced or had laser tattoo removal, or even just supported the random events we have held over the last 15 years.

“We shall be raising a glass to you all and toasting to the next 15 years.”