New Sunderland tattoo studio inks hundreds in first couple of months

“We’ve been blown away by the response so far, particularly from the number of people who have just popped in from off the street,” says the co-owner of a new tattoo studio, which has proved popular in its first couple of months after transforming a former dance studio in High Street West, Sunniside.

Til Death Tattoo opened on August 8 2026, specialising in traditional, fine line, Japanese and illustrative tattoos.

The brainchild of husband and wife duo, Rhiannon and Thomas Goldsmith, the studio employs seven people, comprising five tattoo artists, a piercer and a nail tech.

Prior to opening the studio, Rhiannon had her own tattoo studio, Black Widow Tattoos, at the North East BIC where Thomas also worked.

The new studio, however, has helped the pair realise their dream of going into business together and benefit from increased footfall thanks to its city centre location.

“We’ve been blown away by the response so far, particularly from the number of people who have just popped in from off the street,” said Thomas, who hails from Seaham.

“When we were initially searching for a unit, we were living in Boldon and commuting into the outskirts of Sunderland, so the city centre hadn’t really crossed our mind.

“We saw this unit pop up, however, and even though it needed a lot of work doing to it, we were really won over by the area and the potential we saw in it.”

Rhiannon, who was raised in Sunderland, spent a lot of her youth in the city and was impressed by the pace of change Sunniside has experienced in such a short period of time.

She said: “I remember when they installed the fountains and steps around the corner and it had just started to brighten up the area around the gardens and the old post office, but when we came back to view the store, I couldn’t believe how much the entire place had changed.

“It’s such an up and coming, cool area now. Mackie’s Corner has helped bring in loads of quirky independent businesses and then you’ve got Sunniside Social which is underway opposite us, Pop Recs and the new housing at Nile + Villiers. It just feels totally different.”

The unit was previously a dance studio but had sat empty for quite a while, so it required a lot of work to get it ready for opening, however, it became something of a labour of love for the two creatives, with every minor detail from the internal beams and fixtures to the signage and windows being replaced or refurbished.

“We wanted a challenge and it certainly didn’t disappoint,” Rhiannon said. “The inside of the shop needed to be fully fitted out, all of the electrics needed re-installing and we had to replace the shutters and a window. Thankfully we both love decorating and working form a blank canvas.

“We were also keen to work with local creatives which was what inspired us to onboard local sign painter, Mango Signs, to help make it look like a proper, old school tattoo shop. We couldn’t be happier with how it has turned out and the feedback we’ve received. It has made it all worthwhile.”

Rhiannon and Thomas were supported during the move by the Economy and Place Directorate at Sunderland City Council, providing advice, guidance and funding towards the external improvements through its Sunniside Shop Front initiative.

Cllr James Jackson, Cabinet Member for Business, Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “The Sunniside Shop Front initiative was established to help make our high street more vibrant and attractive and Til Death Tattoo is a perfect example of how it is doing just that.

“The couple have transformed a shop which was in dire need of restoration into a thriving studio which has helped attract yet more people to Sunniside, while helping to really brighten up High Street West. We are delighted to have been able to support them on their journey and wish them the best of luck for the future.”