Coca-Cola launches Local Royalty portrait series for independent retailers

Coca-Cola has unveiled ‘Local Royalty’, a portrait series designed to recognize the contributions of independent business owners to their local communities. The campaign features four operators from the retail and hospitality sectors: Kaual Patel of Torridon Convenience Store in London, Pindy Kaur of Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley, Gino Verecchia of Glasgow’s University Café, and Simon Dafforn-Jones of The Ferry Boat Inn in Devon.

The portraits were created by artists who have previously painted official portraits of members of the British Royal Family. The works are scheduled to be displayed at London’s Saatchi Gallery from 28 October to 1 November. As part of the initiative, each featured business owner will nominate a local charity to receive a donation.

The campaign follows research commissioned by Coca-Cola indicating that 87% of Britons view independent businesses as an essential part of life, with 79% believing their communities would be worse off without them.