Kaual Patel, owner of the Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, south London, has been immortalised in a public portrait by royal artist Nick Bashall as part of a campaign highlighting the impact of independent businesses in their local communities.
Royal Portraitists Celebrate Underappreciated Independent Shopkeepers
- Independent shopkeepers and cafe owners from across Great Britain have been painted by artists who have previously created portraits for the Royal Family.
- New research indicates that nearly 80% of the public believes independent businesses such as corner shops are underappreciated.
- The resulting collection, titled Local Royalty, is scheduled to open to the public at London’s Saatchi Gallery.
Saatchi Gallery Exhibition Showcases Local Business Owners
The portrait of Mr Patel stands alongside works depicting three other small business owners, all executed by portraitists with established royal connections. The exhibition runs from October 28 to November 2, bringing working-class high street fixtures into an artistic space historically reserved for royalty, industry titans, and notable stage and screen personalities.
The initiative stems from a broader public sentiment regarding the state of local commerce. Research highlights that roughly 80% of the public views independent businesses as underappreciated, while 87% describe them as essential to life in Great Britain.
From Family Store Beginnings to Canvas
Mr Patel took over the Torridon Convenience Store from his father and uncle in 2000, developing the shop into a neighborhood hub that champions local producers. The live painting sessions took place directly inside the Catford store rather than a closed studio setting. “The days I spent being painted by Nick, live in the shop, were unforgettable, but what made it truly special was seeing it through the eyes of my customers,” Mr Patel noted.
Artist Nick Bashall, who previously painted HRH Princess Anne and various military figures in warzones, executed the piece while shoppers browsed the aisles. “I stood at my easel and painted Kaual and the entire background on the spot, with people milling around us,” Bashall explained. It was great fun watching his customers’ faces as they came in, clearly wondering what was going on, but also intrigued by it all.
Broadening the Exhibition Across Great Britain
The Local Royalty project also features the University Cafe in Glasgow, an institution founded in 1918 by Pasquale Verrecchia. The cafe is now operated by fifth-generation owner Gino Verrecchia alongside his sons, Americo and Paulo. Gino Verrecchia’s portrait was painted by fellow Glaswegian Gareth Reid, who was named Portrait Artist of the Decade in 2024 and previously painted King Charles III.
The campaign is the third in a series by Coca-Cola Great Britain focusing on independent retailers, following previous initiatives titled The Bosses and Counter Cultures. Alongside the convenience store and cafe, the exhibition includes portraits of a pub landlord and a takeaway owner, painted by renowned artists Nicky Philipps and Jamie Coreth.
| Business Owner | Business Name | Location | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaual Patel | Torridon Convenience Store | Catford, London | Nick Bashall |
| Gino Verrecchia | University Cafe | Glasgow | Gareth Reid |
Each participating business owner is slated to receive their finished portrait alongside a donation for a local charity of their choice. Mr Patel selected the Corbett Community Library, an independent library located in Catford, as his designated recipient.
Inside the Creation of Local Royalty
Gino is front and centre, relaxed but in charge, showing a hint of mischief and recognisably within the walls of his iconic cafe,
Gareth Reid said. Gino said: The University Café has seen a lot over the years, from celebrity visits to starring on the big screen, but being named Local Royalty by Coca-Cola is a first.
This is a Glasgow institution, known and loved by so many people in the city so I wanted to make it just as much part of the portrait as Gino,
Reid explained. Seeing their expressions, hearing their reactions and watching the portrait come to life alongside them created memories I’ll never forget.
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