They are the heroes who prop up Britain’s high street – but for a short time a select few pub landlords, corner shopkeepers and fish and chip shop owners are being given the royal treatment.
The four small business owners are being immortalised in portraits by artists who have previously painted the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Elizabeth II – for a free exhibition, titled Local Royalty, at London‘s Saatchi Gallery.
Commissioned by Coca-Cola, it is a celebration of those people who keep our high streets going, lifting them to a status more usually seen by the Royal family.
Among those featured is Simon Dafforn-Jones, landlord of the Ferry Boat Inn in Dittisham, Devon, who has been painted by Jamie Coreth.
Jamie, who painted the first official joint portrait of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said honouring everyday people is a continuation of the same tradition that portrait painters have engaged in for centuries.
Simon Dafforn-Jones, landlord of the Ferry Boat Inn in Dittisham, Devon, has been painted
Jamie Coreth painted the first official joint portrait of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Pindy Kaur, owner of Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley, has been painted by Nicky Philipps.
Welsh-born artists Ms Philipps got the late Monarch to sit for a portrait three times – in 2013, 2016 and 2018. She described the experience as incredibly daunting at first but ended up being enormous fun.
Ms Philipps said of Elizabeth II: ‘She was extraordinarily well-informed about everything… that’s all over and above the fact that we all know she took it terribly seriously and it’s her duty, but I think because she had such a vibrant sense of humour, she could find the fun in it as well.’
Pindy Kaur, owner of Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley, described her portrait as beautiful
Nicky Philipps got Queen Elizabeth II to sit for a portrait three times with one of her standing in the Archers Hall to mark her 90th birthday
Of her latest commision, she said: ‘It was a privilege to be asked to portray such a local heroine on canvas … Pindy is clearly the fish and chip queen of the north.’
Pindy, has been serving up fish and chips to the people of Barnsley since the early 2000s. When she took over, the shop was struggling – now she has transformed it into a hub for the community.
The fish and chip shop owner described her portrait as beautful.
Gareth Reid, whose portrait of the King while he was Prince of Wales hangs in Hillsborough Castle, painted Gino Verecchia, owner of University Café in Glasgow. The cafe has been in his family for three generations.
The University Cafe in Glasgow was first opened by Gino’s grandfather Pasquale in 1918
Gareth Reid’s portrait of the King while he was Prince of Wales hangs in Hillsborough Castle
Kaual Patel, who has run Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, south-east London, since 2000, was painted by Nick Bashall, who has completed portraits of Princess Anne on several times.
Kaual Patel has spent two decades making Torridon Convenience Store a hub for Catford
Each owner will be able to keep their portrait and receive a donation for a charity of their choice.
Local Royalty runs at the Saatchi Gallery from Oct 28 to Nov 1.
