
After 53 years in business, iconic independent retailer Partridges closed its Chelsea shop on 2nd February. Its second store, which opened on Gloucester Road in 1998, remains open, and managing director John Shepherd said the will be business will be looking to launch “smaller and more sustainable shops across London”.
Partridges was launched by John Shepherd’s brother, Sir Richard Shepherd, in 1972, with the slogan, “good things for the larder”. It was located on Sloane Street, and expanded to three times its original size when John Shepherd took the reins in 1981. After some tough years following the opening of Waitrose Belgravia, it was moved to Queripel House on Duke of York Square in 2004, where it also introduced a weekly Fine Food Market in 2005.
In many ways the retailer was ahead of its time, selling speciality food & drink sold nowhere else – items like gulls eggs and jugged hare. It now stocks a range of own-label goods as well as food and wine from around the world. The shop was awarded a Royal warrant by King Charles this year, having previously held one from Queen Elizabeth from 1994. Sir Richard Shepherd was knighted in the 2013 New Year Honours List for public service.
In a statement, John Shepherd expressed sadness about the closure of the shop, and gratitude to Kensington estate owner Cadogan, “for allowing us the opportunity to develop our creativity in Duke of York Square”.
He added: “We would like to thank all of our loyal Chelsea customers for their support, over more than half a century, and we have often served several generations of the same family. We will never forget you and could not have possibly done it all without you.”
Responding to the news, Hugh Seaborn, CEO of the Cadogan Estate, said: “[Partridges] have been a cherished Chelsea institution since first opening on Sloane Street in 1972, and it is long-term partners like [them] that we particularly value and support as they help make Chelsea special. I am deeply sorry to see them go.”
Meanwhile, a statement from Cadogan said it plans to “retain a high-quality, specialist independent in this location to continue serving the community”, and it is understood that it will take over the running of the market from 8th February.
This article first appeared in the January-February 2025 issue of Fine Food Digest.