South London corner shop owner honoured with portrait by Royal artist

A corner shop owner from south London has been revealed as one of four small business owners across the UK to have been painted by a royal portrait artist,

The exhibition depicts local business owners in a manner historically reserved for royalty, in recognition of the impact of local businesses on Britain’s high streets.

Mr Patel’s painting was done by Nick Bashall, an acclaimed London portrait artist who has previously painted HRH Princess Anne and a number of leading military figures during his time travelling to warzones.

Nick Bashall has previously painted the Princess Royal

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A proud southeast Londoner, Mr Patel took over the store from his father and uncle in 2000, and has made it a hub for the local community, championing local and independent producers.

His portrait is part of Local Royalty, a campaign by Coca-Cola recognising the contribution independent businesses make in their local communities, with the exhibition open to the public from October 28 to November 2.

Other business owners featured in the exhibition are owners of a takeaway, café and pub who have been painted by renowned portraitists Nicky Philipps, Gareth Reid and Jamie Coreth, artists who have painted Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and the Prince and Princess of Wales respectively.

Each business owner will receive the finished portrait as well as a donation for a local charity of their choice - with Mr Patel choosing Corbett Community Library, an independent library in Catford.

Kaual's portrait, by Nick Bashall

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Kaual's portrait in his store in southeast London

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Mr Patel said: “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.

“This wasn’t created behind closed doors in a studio. It happened right here, in the store, surrounded by the people who make our community so special.

“Seeing their expressions, hearing their reactions and watching the portrait come to life alongside them created memories I’ll never forget. This simply doesn’t happen to an everyday shopkeeper.”

Mr Bashall said: “The whole experience unfolded in the store, as I stood at my easel and painted Kaual and the entire background on the spot, with people milling around us.

“It was great fun watching his customers' faces as they came in, clearly wondering what was going on, but also intrigued by it all.”