Chippy owner honoured with painting by royal artist

A fish and chip shop owner has been immortalised by a royal portrait artist as part of an exhibition to honour the impact independent businesses have on their communities.

Pindy Kaur has been depicted by artist Nicky Philipps, who has previously painted members of the Royal Family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, 2016 and 2018.

Kaur, who runs Monk Bretton's Ocean Fish Bar, in Barnsley, said: "To have me painted by someone that's painted the Queen, it's just amazing."

The portrait is part of the Local Royalty campaign by Coca-Cola GB, and will go on show from 28 October at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Kaur, 56, has been serving up fish and chips to the people of Barnsley since the early 2000s.

"Slowly, we made a friendship with the community and now everybody knows me and I know them," she said.

"I've watched their kids grow up and everything. It's just lovely to have that community around you."

Asked how she felt when she first saw the painting she said she "couldn't believe it", describing it as "beautiful".

Philipps said she thought the decision to recognise "the real champions of their communities" was "a lovely idea".

She the process of painting Kaur and members of the Royal Family was "exactly the same".

"Your end goal is the same: to try and capture something of the character," she said.

She added that Kaur's job was "a hell of a lot more important than my job and she clearly does it really well".

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