Marks and Spencer diehard fan gets high street chain's M&S logo tattooed on forearm

Body art lover said he doesn't feel judged when he shops at the store

Chris Coates, 43 from Southend-on-sea, Essex got the logo of his favourite high street store tattooed on his forearm ((SWNS))

A fan of high street store Marks and Spencer has paid homage to the retailer by having its logo tattooed on his forearm.

Body art lover Chris Coates, 43, had "M&S EST.1884" inked on to his left forearm to show his love for the high street chain.

It's the latest addition to a whole host of other tattoos that the father of four has inked across his body, some of which include skulls and jigsaws.

Mr Coates said: "I love M&S. I've been shopping there for about 15 years.

"They've always had fantastic customer service. I also love their food.

"I used to be a chef and the quality of the meat and everything is brilliant."

The 6ft 2in web designer, who wears a total of 19 tattoos with pride, said he admired the high street retailer because he didn't feel judged when he shopped there.

He said: "I'm tall, quite stocky and covered in tattoos.

"In certain shops I get stereotyped and followed around as if I'm going to steal something.

"M&S aren't like that, the staff are always friendly. The way they treat me, I always feel special."

Mr Coates, who lives in Southend-on-Sea in Essex, lives with partner Marie Davies, 36, and children Ivan, four, Dominic, eight, Vinni, 13, and Cheyenne, 15.

He said the logo, which was tattooed at local parlour, Urban Ink on Tuesday, took about 45 minutes and cost £60.

He added: "I wanted another one and I thought it would be really good. I love everything about M&S."

His right arm is mainly adorned with skulls, while his left is reserved for favourite bands, films, birthdates of his children - and now his favourite shop too.

This latest piece, which has been drawn at the top of his forearm, takes pride of place above a cartoon character from 2017 Dreamworks film, The Boss Baby.

Also inked is the tattoo of a jigsaw. He said it symbolises autism and is special to him because two of his children were diagnosed with the condition.

Mr Coates got his first ink job at the age of 17, when he had the initials HF written on his arm after a girlfriend.

He has since tattooed over it.

The proud chain store fan has already drawn admiration for his most recent addition.

He said: "There's a really big security guard who works in M&S in Southend.

"I went in there to get my lunch and he absolutely loved it.

"Two other staff members think it's taking customer loyalty to the next level.

"My wife thinks I'm mad."

A spokesman for the retailer said: “Full marks to Chris for his customer loyalty. This Christmas, we’re celebrating our #MyMarksFaves and Chris is certainly one of them.

“We’ll be marking his new tattoo with a treat next time he comes into the store.”

SWNS