A TATTOO studio and art gallery in the Brunel Shopping Centre is hoping to change perceptions on tattoos in Swindon.

12th Dynasty Tattoo Studio was opened up four weeks ago by Dillan James, who after a long battle to open his own place, hopes to remove the stigma of the artform.

He had previously worked in a studio in Old Town before moving into a new one in the tented market a month before it closed.

He then applied to open a premise in the Brunel Shopping Centre itself but has been kept waiting for three years to open his own place up again.

“It was hard convincing them the studio was a viable business for them and getting away from the stigma that’s attached to the tattoo industry," said Dillan.

“It’s had a lot of light shed on it recently, we’re just reputable people trying to do our jobs.

"So I wanted to be somewhere and with other reputable businesses, we’ve got nothing to hide. We’re not tucked away down a back alley.

“We’re just trying to fight that prejudice and create good art work for people, so I thought it would be good to take it somewhere more commercial."

Dillan also faced a longer wait because the initial unit he applied for was going to be next to a baby creche, which set him back another year.

“They tried to find another unit which they thought was viable for me, but mothers are the biggest customers for tattoos," he added.

The studio will also double as a gallery for local artists, and tattooists Juano Diaz and Lee Willis, who are currently showing off their work on the studio's wall space.

Juano Diaz recently sold two pieces of artwork to a New York collector for £5,000 each.

“It's a gallery-vibe, instead of a heavy metal rock one, added Dillan.

"Which can be quite intimidating to some customers. We just want people to feel comfortable in the environment they are getting tattooed in, it’s hugely important.”