A West Bridgford tattoo studio has been severely damaged by fire, with its team saying the premises will require major repairs before it can reopen.
Emergency services were called to Vellum Tattoo on Gordon Road on Sunday 26 July. Two fire engines, from West Bridgford and London Road stations, attended the incident shortly after 6pm.
The road was temporarily closed between Tudor Square and The Test Match, while Nottingham City Transport’s Green 6 buses were diverted. The fire, at premises above the betting shop, was brought under control.
In an update issued on Monday, Vellum’s Tara, Ella and Juris said nobody was inside the upstairs studio when the fire broke out because the business does not operate on Sundays.
They said the entire studio had sustained fire, smoke and water damage, with broken glass throughout the premises.
The smaller studio room, which Juris refurbished after joining Vellum in January, bore the brunt of the damage. The team said he had lost all his tattooing equipment.
Tara and Ella’s room also sustained severe smoke and water damage, and their tattooing equipment was lost.
The artists have also launched an online shop for people who have asked how they can help the studio recover.
Although most of the paintings displayed on the studio walls were salvaged, the originals will not be sold because of heavy smoke damage. Instead, Tara, Ella and Juris are offering made-to-order paintings and prints.
The team said orders may take some time to complete while they recover from the fire. All items are supplied unframed, with paintings produced on 300gsm 12-inch by 12-inch cotton paper and prints on textured paper of the same size.
The team said: “We are all heartbroken. For now we will be working from another studio and all current clients shall be contacted in terms of appointments.”
Prints and paintings will be offered for sale to support the business
The team thanked Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the person who raised the alarm and neighbours on Gordon Road who had offered their help.
They added: “We are so sad but entirely determined to get our studio back to its former beautiful self. We will rebuild and we cannot wait to welcome you all with open arms when it is safe to tattoo from once more.”
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
If you’d like to help here is the website shop and donations page
