Pub landlord and chip shop owner given royal treatment by top artists

Pub landlord and chip shop owner given royal treatment by top artists Artists who have created official royal portraits commissioned to paint community business owners to celebrate the importance of Britain's high streets A pub landlord has spoken of his surprise after being picked to be painted by a renowned royal portrait artist. Simon Dafforn-Jones, who runs the Ferry Boat Inn, in Dittisham, Devon, was chosen as part of a nationwide search to celebrate independent businesses that are at the heart of their community. Just four were selected to have their portrait painted by internationally recognised artists who have previously created official portraits of the royal family, and whose work hangs in prestigious galleries around the world. Simon, 41, sat for award-winning Jamie Coreth, who painted the first official portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2022. Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings. He was chosen after being put forward by Coca Cola Great Britain, as part of an initiative by the soft drinks giant to recognise the impact of local businesses on the nation's high streets Engaged father-of-two Simon - or Slugger to locals - was first told he had been chosen earlier this summer. Jamie later visited the Ferry Boat Inn - also known as the FBI - a historic pub that sits besides the picturesque River Dart in South Devon, where he took a series of photos. Simon then went to Jamie's studio in Wiltshire for a sitting. “It’s just amazing,” was Simon's verdict on the end result. “In real life it is completely different”. On being chosen in the first place, he said: "It’s just incredible. It doesn’t happen to people like us does it. To be picked at random, out of the blue, rather than entering a competition is amazing.” Jamie, whose commissions typically start from more than £20,000, said visiting the Ferry Boat Inn helped him create the atmosphere and light inside. He said: “Honouring everyday people is a continuation of the same tradition that portrait painters have engaged in for centuries." Simon, who first took over the Ferry Boat Inn with his father 16 years ago, said the pub was “massively important” to the community for a variety of reasons. He went on: “We’ve heard lots of comments that single females feel they can come in because it is safe. That’s partly to do with the customers but also the staff we’ve got.” The three other small business owners chosen include Pindy Kaur, owner of Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley, who was painted by Nicky Philipps, three-time portrait painter to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Nicky called it a "privilege" to be asked to "portray such a local heroine on canvas. Pindy is clearly the fish and chip queen of the north”. The others are Gino Verecchia, owner of University Café in Glasgow, who was painted by Gareth Reid, portrait artist to King Charles III while he was Prince of Wales, and Kaual Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, South East London, painted by Nick Bashall, portrait painter to Princess Anne. The four finished portraits will be revealed to the public in new free exhibition at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery London from now until Sunday November 1. The portraits were also commissioned to mark 175 years since the birth of the modern British high street, with its roots tracing back to the Victorian shopping revolution of 1851. It came as research from Coca-Cola revealed that 79% of the public believes the contributions of independent businesses are under appreciated. Each business owner will also receive a donation for a local charity of their choice and the finished portrait, which they can display in their home or business and pass down through their family for generations. Simon says the portrait is too big to fit into Ferry Boat Inn, although it has been arranged for a smaller version to be put up. The original will be in his home, he added. Dusan Stojankic, vice president and general manager of Great Britain and Ireland at Coca-Cola, said: “Independent businesses are the backbone of modern Britain. The businessmen and women who run them work tirelessly and sit at very centre of their communities. "This exhibition is an ode to the people who keep them thriving. Put simply, they are local royalty.”