Royal portrait painter swaps palaces for a Barnsley chippy, a Catford corner shop and a pub run by 'Slugger'

Before the camera came along, only the very rich could afford to have themselves immortalised in oils. I'm talking royalty, aristocrats, and the odd wealthy merchant; their portraits often hang in prestigious galleries or National Trust properties. Their noble gazes in gilt frames suggest a life of privilege, while everyone else went undocumented.

Even today, a formal portrait remains a status symbol. So it's quite unusual to find a portrait of the person who serves you chips on a Saturday night. But that's what's happened in a new campaign by Coca-Cola. The drinks brand has commissioned four of Britain's finest portrait artists, each of whom has painted an official portrait of a member of the Royal Family, to paint a fish-and-chip shop owner, a café proprietor, a pub landlord and a corner shop owner. The finished works will be on show at London's Saatchi Gallery from today until 1 November, and admission is free.

It's the latest chapter in Coca-Cola's 'Localness' platform, which celebrates the people behind the pubs, shops and cafés where its drinks are served. It follows last year's documentary and photo series, The Bosses, and Counter Cultures earlier in 2026. This time around, the campaign borrows the visual language of official portraiture. And we love it. Because why shouldn't a Barnsley chippy get the same gravitas as Buckingham Palace?

Everyone else seems to agree. New research commissioned by Coca-Cola Great Britain found that 79% of people think independent businesses are under-appreciated, while 80% want to see them celebrated more often. "Independent business owners create the places where local life happens, yet their contribution often goes unrecognised," says Rhona Stephen, senior director of communications for Coca-Cola Great Britain. "With Local Royalty, we wanted to celebrate them in a way that felt deliberately unexpected and enduring. By borrowing the visual language of official portraiture and placing these owners at its centre, the campaign gives their everyday impact the status it deserves."

So who got their portrait done? First up is Pindy Kaur, who took over a struggling Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley in the 1990s. More than 25 years on, she and her family have turned it into a much-loved takeaway, known for its regulars and its family-run spirit. Pindy is a devoted admirer of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and she was painted by Nicky Philipps, who painted the Queen not once but twice.

Gino Verecchia's University Café in Glasgow was opened by his grandfather, Pasquale, in 1918, and it's been in the family for three generations. Wow. It blends Italian heritage (including a 100-year-old gelato recipe) with Scottish favourites, and it's a true Glasgow institution. It even once served Anthony Bourdain battered haggis. Gareth Reid, portrait artist to King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales, painted Gino.

Down in Dittisham, South Devon, meanwhile, The Ferry Boat Inn sits on the banks of the River Dart. Locals know it as the FBI. Brilliant. Landlord Simon Dafforn-Jones, or "Slugger" to the locals, has run it for almost 20 years, following in his dad's footsteps. He gives local teens their first jobs and champions produce from across the region, so the pub naturally sits at the heart of village life. He was painted by Jamie Coreth, who created the first official portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

And finally, Kaual Patel's father bought Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, South East London, in 1984, and Kaual took over in 2000. Over the past two decades, he has made it a real community hub, stocking local producers alongside the bigger household names. His mantra is lovely: "If you're a local producer, there's a space on my shelf for you." Kaual was painted by Nick Bashall, portrait painter to Princess Anne.

There you have it. All worthy contenders. All beautifully depicted. Alongside their finished portraits, the Saatchi show includes behind-the-scenes footage from the sittings. It shows how each artist got to know their sitter and turned their character and history into a formal portrait.

Each owner also donates to a local charity of their choice and keeps the portrait to hang in their home or business.

MHP Group created and delivered the campaign across MHP, Mischief and Studio La Plage. Find out more on Coca-Cola's website. So next time you're enjoying a pint or picking up a chippy tea, take a moment to appreciate the people behind the counter. You might be in the presence of royalty.