Grocer to the Royal family closes Chelsea store

It has been at the beating heart of Chelsea for more than half a century.

But now fine food grocer’s Partridges has announced the closure of its original store.

The family-run shop, with its “good things for the larder” motto, secured a royal warrant as grocers to Queen Elizabeth in 1994 and was granted the same warrant by the King just weeks ago.

However, it will close its doors for the last time on Feb 2.

John Shepherd, the owner of Partridges, said: “We are very sad to be leaving Chelsea after an incredible 53 years serving local residents.

“Although our Chelsea chapter is coming to an end we are looking forward to building Partridges in smaller and more sustainable shop formats across London.”

Mr Shepherd, who co-founded the store with Richard Shepherd, his late brother, continued: “At the heart of our success though lies our experienced and knowledgeable team of staff, who we thank enormously for all their years of service.

“We hope that this is not goodbye and that many of our current customers will venture over to Gloucester Road to visit us there.”

A second branch opened in Gloucester Road in the late 1990s, while the original Sloane Street branch relocated to Duke of York Square in 2004.

Its Saturday food market in the Duke of York Square has become a tourist attraction.

Mr Shepherd said: “We are very proud to have recently achieved carbon neutrality for both our Chelsea and Gloucester Road stores, we have received a new royal warrant from King Charles and we have supported several hundred small artisan businesses by creating and curating the fine food market on the Duke of York Square on nearly 1,000 Saturdays.

“We send all the traders our very best wishes for the future.”

The store’s royal ties began in 1991, when Buckingham Palace called asking for some of its products.

A spokesman for the store told the Daily Mail: “At first, no one was sure which palace, but fortunately it turned out to be the Palace.

“Partridges leapt at the opportunity and in 1994 was granted the royal warrant as grocers to Her Majesty the Queen.”

The spokesman added the business had been unable to “come to a contractual understanding’ with landlord Cadogan and added: “I think they’ll be sad to lose Partridges. It’s a shame.”

Hugh Seaborn, the chief executive of Cadogan, said: “While I respect the decision of John Shepherd, of Partridges, I am deeply sorry to see them go.”