Cut Throat owner wins 'Tattoo Artist of the Year' at Beauty Awards

Previously working in "normal everyday jobs", Mark was forced into a career change in 2010 when he was made redundant.

Always having a passion for art, Mark even used to draw people's portraits in the pub and was encouraged by his former tattoo artist in Widnes to start an apprenticeship and learn the trade.

An example of Mark's tattooing (Image: Mark Cain)
After learning the tricks of the trade in Widnes, Mark moved back to his hometown to launch 'Cut Throat Tattoo Studio' along Warrington Road in 2014.

Over this time, he has developed a trusted reputation where around 70% of his clients are return customers, with many leaving comments about his talented tattooing at reasonable prices.

With almost a decade of creating impressive tattoos, which are often very personal memories, Mark was put forward for 'Tattooist of the Year' at the English Beauty Industry Awards in Manchester earlier this month.

Celebrating exceptional talent, dedication, and innovation across the North West, it was the first time that tattooing was included at the award - and Mark came out right on top.

Mark tattooing a customer at the former Britannia pub for the Alzheimer Society in 2019 (Image: Mark Cain)
Mark, 52, said: "There were ten nominees in the category and some very tough competition, so I was really surprised that I won.

"I've always been on my own in the shop and it can be a struggle sometimes, and it was very difficult during covid when I had to stop completely. But after the last lockdown, it has been busier than ever.

"I think people are quite shocked with the prices at times, but when they know I won't rip them off, a lot of them come back again and again, so things seem to be going from strength to strength."

Many of Mark's customers return to him for his tattoos and reasonable prices (Image: Mark Cain)
With Mark also retaining a charitable arm of the business, the business owner has worked on many tattoos for good causes, such as the Manchester Bee Appeal, Wigan and Leigh Hospice,Dementia Awareness, and the Alzheimer's Society.

As his work has also drawn attention from featuring on the UBKB (Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing) Netflix series, Mark said that he will continue keeping up the high standards that made him Tattoo Artist of the Year.

Cut Throat Tattoo Studio, on Warrington Road (Image: Google Maps)