Local Shop Owners Are Painted Like Kings and Queens

Coca-Cola is celebrating local business owners through a new group of paintings. Four artists painted people who run a shop, café, pub, and takeaway. These artists have also painted members of the Royal Family. The project treats these owners like kings and queens in formal paintings. It asks people to notice the work behind familiar local places.

The project is called Local Royalty and belongs to Coca-Cola's Localness programme. This programme celebrates people who run places where its drinks are served. Research paid for by Coca-Cola Great Britain supports the campaign's message. In this research, 79% said people do not value independent businesses enough. It also found that 80% want people to celebrate them more often.

The owners' stories show why these places matter to their communities. Pindy Kaur and her family run Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley. Gino Verecchia runs University Café in Glasgow, which his grandfather opened in 1918. Simon Dafforn-Jones runs The Ferry Boat Inn and gives local teenagers their first jobs. Kaual Patel runs Torridon Convenience Store and makes room for local producers. Their businesses connect family history with the people living around them.

The paintings are on show at London's Saatchi Gallery until 1 November. People can visit the show for free and watch films about the paintings. These films show the artists learning about each owner's life and history. The owners can hang their paintings at home or in their businesses. The campaign uses formal art to give everyday community work greater public attention.