A TALENTED tattoo artist is set to make his “mark” in Bury after relocating to the town from Germany.

So delighted was Steve Thompson with the friendly and welcoming reception he received during a visit to the town last year that he and wife, Roz, decided to move lock, stock and barrel to Bury.

Before emigrating to Germany in 1995, Steve had lived in the Isle of Man, Belfast and Blackpool. In Germany, he worked as an interior car trim designer and then as an aircraft structural designer engineer.

But his love for tattoos eventually saw him open a studio which he ran for four years.

Now, after moving to Bury, Steve has launched his own “S.T.ink” business in Moorgate, the name of which incorporates his own initials.

Steve, aged 54, is the latest in a handful of tattoo artists operating the town.

“There are probably about four others. But what tends to happen is people try to work together and each has their own expertise,” he said.

What was originally a hobby has now transformed itself into a full-time occupation.

He continued: “I’ve been doing tattoo work on and off for the past 30 years. Also, I got my first tattoo in my late teens and my latest one two weeks ago.”

Steve believes his love for drawing and painting acted as a catalyst in terms of inspiring him to become a tattoo artist.

While working in Bremen, Germany, he served part-time as an artist’s assistant which allowed him to fine-tune what he had already learned. And eventually, Steve opened his own studio.

His link with Bury was fused when his nephew asked if he could tattoo him and some of his friends. “We came over last July for around four days and he got his friends together. “It was almost a mini tattoo convention.

"We just found the people incredibly easy to get on with and very helpful. We were very impressed with their hospitality.

"Roz and I had been toying with the idea of moving from Germany without really knowing where to move to.

“My wife turned round and said, ‘well, why not move to Bury?’”

The couple identified premises in Moorgate and with help from friend Paul Underhill and others, spent around £3,000 in getting the building into shape.

Now, Steve has settled down and is enjoying his new surroundings as well as meeting new clients.

“The majority of people are probably in their mid-20s, but we are finding more and more people aged in their 50s are getting tattoos.

"It’s almost become a fashion accessory and a lot of influence comes from celebrities, pop and film stars,” he said.