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From Policing to Pottery: A Career Swerve to Beat Them All

For 20 years, Mark Nicklin was a professional tough guy. As one of the Army’s specialist bodyguards, he travelled the world offering what they call “close protection work”. That was followed by a lengthy stint on the Northumbria police force, handling murder inquiries and major crime investigations. In between times, he was a self defence instructor for his fellow officers.

So when he announced he was opening a paint-your-own pottery studio, complete with a soft-play area for the kiddies, he admits his friends were more than a little surprised.

But a year after what must rate as one of the greatest-ever career swerves, Mark says his new life as owner of The Ceramic Experience in Newcastle is proving every bit as satisfying as his days in uniform. “It’s a total change from my previous career in the police force,” he says. “I suppose there is a similarity in that I am dealing with the public, but the big difference is that now I am dealing with nice members of the public who are only concerned with having an enjoyable time.”

Mark bought the franchise to open Tyneside’s first branch of the fast-growing national chain after taking his two young daughters to a Ceramic Experience studio in Crieff. The kids really enjoyed it, and he was immediately attracted by the concept.

The Ceramic Experience studios are big, light-filled spaces, offering a huge range of pottery shapes for painting and firing, along with play areas for children, coffee shops and facilities for evening parties and functions.

Mark says: “When I saw it working in Crieff I thought it was a nice idea and I had a go myself – my daughters and I did a plate for their grandmother. Having taken the girls to various facilities and activity centres around Newcastle I knew there was nothing like The Ceramic Experience down in Tyneside, and so I thought I’d have a go.

“The reception since I opened in July last year has been fantastic. Lots of people have come in saying they had visited Ceramic Experience studios in other parts of the country and had wished there was one in Newcastle, and lo and behold – now we do have one.”

Having had the idea of opening his own business, Mark says he then faced a very steep learning curve as he worked to master totally new skills. He did a business entrepreneurial course at Northumbria University, which he says was very helpful, and he called on his parents for advice from their own business background, but in the end he says: “A lot of what I learned I learned by making mistakes”.

The first big job was to find the right premises. Mark says he looked for two years before finding his 4,300 sq ft unit in the Dutton Court building on Chainbridge Road in Blaydon. “As soon as I walked in I knew this was the place – it’s nice and airy and it’s south facing, all glass fronted.”

Adding to the appeal, the studio is right beside the huge MetroCentre shopping centre, and easily accessible from major roads.

Although The Ceramic Experience has obvious appeal as a family entertainment centre, Mark says he is also getting a lot of business from grown-ups looking for an alternative place for a social function. Hen parties, corporate team-building events and birthday parties are all attracting strong bookings.

Mark admits that his new life lacks some of the pure adrenaline rush he experienced during his years on the force, but says the job provides intense satisfaction, along with a much better quality of life. And naturally, his daughters are thrilled to have their own pottery studio to play in.

He says: “Initially my mates from the force were completely dumbfounded when I told them what I was going to be doing. They couldn’t believe their ears, and I think some of them found it hard to believe until I actually opened the studio and invited them along to the opening. Now, they stop by and have a cup of coffee and think it is an excellent idea – in fact I think a lot of them are envious about what I have managed to do.”

For further information, or to book your party at the ceramic experience in Newcastle, please contact Mark Nicklin,
Tel: 01914 141828
OR
email: newcastle@theceramicexperience.com

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