New Falmouth tattoo studio and boutique Sacred Heart

Owner Bronwen Edwards has worked in the piercing industry for more than ten years, beginning her career with an apprenticeship in Truro.

The Sacred Heart story first began in St Austell in February 2025, where Bronwyn, with her partner Elliot, had a vision to challenge some of the traditional perceptions around tattoo and piercing studios and create somewhere bright, professional and welcoming, particularly for people who might feel nervous about stepping through the door.

After seeing the community that grew around the original studio, Bronwen saw an opportunity to bring the concept to Falmouth and build a business of her own here.

Having previously lived in the town, for her there was an obvious choice of location.

“I've always loved Falmouth,” she says. “There's such a vibrant arts culture here, with the university, the mix of people and the lifestyle. It just felt like Sacred Heart would fit.”

Inside the new tattoo parlour (Image: Falmouth BID)

Sacred Heart Falmouth is Bronwen’s own business, built around the female-led team of Bronwen, Krissy and Lili, and she has been delighted by the response so far, from familiar clients travelling to Falmouth to support her, to new faces discovering the studio for the first time.

Step inside and Sacred Heart certainly doesn't conform to the stereotype of a dark, intimidating tattoo studio.

Natural light floods through the Arwenack Street windows, jewellery cabinets line the front of the shop and colourful artwork leads you towards the tattoo studios beyond.

Bronwen offers everything from first piercings and jewellery changes to bespoke ear curations and more specialist work, using needle-only techniques and implant-grade titanium or solid gold jewellery.

But for her, the service doesn't end once a piercing is complete.

“Piercing is genuinely what I eat, sleep and breathe,” she says.

“The industry is always progressing and I want to progress with it. I want people to feel completely looked after, from the moment they arrive right through their healing journey.”

The shop also sells piercing jewellery (Image: Falmouth BID)

Aftercare is included as part of the service, with clients encouraged to return so the team can check healing and offer ongoing advice.

Bronwen is also a trauma-informed practitioner, and the fully accessible studio has been deliberately created as an inclusive and LGBTQ+ safe space where everyone is treated with respect.

Alongside Bronwen are resident tattoo artists Krissy and Lili, each bringing their own creativity and individual style to the studio.

Together, the three women have created a space where clients can feel comfortable expressing themselves, whether they're visiting for their very first piercing, choosing a meaningful tattoo or simply looking for a beautiful new piece of jewellery.

The shop is designed to be a bright, inclusive space (Image: Falmouth BID)

The front of the studio also doubles as a fine jewellery boutique, with pieces ranging from implant-grade titanium to 14ct gold, giving customers the opportunity to simply pop in and browse without booking a piercing or tattoo.

For Bronwen, the welcome from neighbouring businesses has been another reminder that Falmouth was the right choice.

“Everyone on the street has been so friendly and supportive. It already feels like we're becoming part of the community.”

Bronwen Edwards, owner of the new Sacred Heart tattoo and piercing shop in Falmouth (Image: Falmouth BID)

And Sacred Heart has ambitions beyond tattoos and piercings too, with plans for creative workshops in the studio during the autumn and winter.

Ultimately, Bronwen wants Sacred Heart Falmouth to be somewhere people can explore self-expression in whatever form feels right for them.

“Whether it's someone's first piercing, a meaningful tattoo or simply a beautiful piece of jewellery, I want people to walk through the door and know they're going to feel safe, comfortable and supported.”

Sacred Heart Falmouth is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm.