The opening of two new shops in Mansfield town centre has taken the total of independent businesses to 88.

Mayor Andy Abrahams visited the two new luxury beauty parlours — body piercing and jewellery studio Pierce of Art (above), and Coalesce Tattoo Gallery (below).

He said it was fantastic to see two new businesses in the heart of Mansfield, helping bring younger customers to the town centre.

“It’s been so inspiring meeting our young female entrepreneurs,” he added.

“What they are doing is offering something different; high-end, quality beauty that is going to draw people into the town.

“It’s exactly the sort of thing that we’re looking for. Come to Mansfield and see what they have to offer.

“They are really showing the young generation can succeed as entrepreneurs.”

Jay Rowlinson, chief executive at Mansfield BID, added: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming not just one, but two beauty parlours into the heart of Mansfield, bringing a new clientele and demographic into the town centre.

“I am thrilled to see both businesses being run by women so successfully. I hope residents take away that you can achieve your dreams and that Mansfield is the perfect place to open your business in 2023.”

Pierce of Art, on Queens Walk, is run by 32-year-old Paige Broome, of Mansfield, with the help of her partner. It is an expansion of the business’s first shop in Chesterfield.

Paige said: “Me and my partner bought a house in Berry Hill three years ago, and instead of commuting we thought, why not branch out? We scouted the town to see what was available, fell in love with this spot and went from there.

“The (district) council hasbeen really helpful throughout the whole process of getting the property and held my hand all the way through.

“We’ve tried to step out of the stereotype of body piercing and offer something else. All of our jewellery is made for us; we only use medical-grade titanium and 14ct gold upwards. That way, we know it’s compatible with the body. It means you can have something beautiful straight away.”

Coalesce Tattoo Gallery, on Regent Street, is owned by 29-year-old identical sisters Martyna and Dagmara Cielecka.

The twins, of Mansfield Woodhouse and Huthwaite respectively, always had a passion for opening a studio and were drawn to Mansfield because of its town centre location.

Martyna said: “We live nearby and wanted to be in one big studio, so this was convenient for us and has become a perfect location.

“There are five of us here, and we are already looking for another team member to take us to six.

“Business has been busy since we opened. It’s been great.”

Dagmara added: “We have quite a few older clients too, not just the younger generation. My oldest client is 63.

“What makes us different is the different personalities within our team and there is a great vibe that you feel as soon as you walk through our door.”

Martyna and Dagmara’s work is not just enjoyed by Mansfield residents with both ladies having more than 114,000 Instagram followers between them, where they regularly share their artwork designs and inspiration.