It’s been a London landmark for more than half a century, with products such as bird’s nest soup, gulls’ eggs and frozen jugged hare delivered to customers including members of the Royal Family by smartly dressed staff riding bicycles.
But, to the horror of its well-heeled clientele, Partridges is to close its flagship fine foods store off Sloane Square in Chelsea next month amid Labour’s tax raid.
News of the closure comes just weeks after the family-run shop was awarded a royal warrant by King Charles.
It previously held a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth since 1994.
‘We are very sad to be leaving Chelsea after an incredible 53 years serving local residents,’ confirmed Partridges owner John Shepherd, who co-founded the outlet with his late brother, Conservative MP Sir Richard Shepherd, in 1972.
‘I can’t believe the store’s closing – it’s crazy,’ one shocked Sloane Ranger told the Daily Mail last night. With its motto ‘Good things for the Larder’, Partridges rapidly won a reputation for selling quality foods from Britain and all over the world.
It moved from Sloane Street to a new location in nearby Duke of York Square in the 1990s.
One of the few remaining family-run food shops in central London, Partridges is known particularly for its cafe, delicatessen and American food section.
Its weekly Saturday Fine Food Market is a big tourist attraction. Princess Michael of Kent was a judge in Partridges’ World Chelsea Bun Awards in 2023.
Partridges is to close its flagship fine foods store off Sloane Square in Chelsea, west London, next month
Princess Michael of Kent refusing to eat a Chelsea bun – while judging the World Chelsea Bun Awards
Its royal links began in 1991 when it received a telephone call from Buckingham Palace asking to order some products.
‘At first, no one was sure which palace, but fortunately it turned out to be the Palace,’ a spokesman says. ‘Partridges leapt at the opportunity and in 1994 was granted the royal warrant as grocers to Her Majesty the Queen.’
Actresses Jane Asher and Sophie Winkleman, wife of the second cousin of the King, are among regulars at Partridges.
Retailers of all sizes are feeling the pinch under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
A recent analysis by the Centre for Policy Studies warned that the annual cost of employing workers would rise by around £2,000 each due to National Insurance contributions and minimum wage increases, making it harder for businesses to employ staff.
The spokesman said it had been unable to ‘come to a contractual understanding’ with landlord Cadogan. ‘I think they’ll be sad to lose Partridges,’ he said. ‘It’s a shame.’
Hugh Seaborn, chief executive of Cadogan, said: ‘While I respect the decision of John Shepherd, of Partridges, I am deeply sorry to see them go.’
Mr Seaborn added that Cadogan would try to find another grocer as its new tenant for the prime site.
Additional reporting: Harry Dougherty