Spring is here, the outdoor seating area was up and running. People likes to sit on the concrete piles
with wood seating.
Partridges is one of the few family run food shops in Central London
and still is supplied by some of the original suppliers since 1972. It
was opened by Richard Shepherd in May 1972 at 132 Sloane Street. In May
1979 he was elected to Parliament and in May 1981 his brother John
entered the business. In 1984 Partridges expanded into the adjoining
premises at 132-134 Sloane Street and in 2004 it relocated to 2-5 Duke
of York Square on the King’s Road.
In 1998 Partridges opened a second shop at 17-21 Gloucester Road
– a sort of Partridges local. Although smaller than the mother ship
Gloucester Road has most of the product range with a particular
emphasis on American items. It also trades until 11pm seven days a
week, one hour later than Duke of York Square.
Although still following the original ideals set up by Richard
Shepherd in 1972 'above all to be the best' Partridges has diversified
into other areas.
The Sloane Square store has a wine bar and café, a
Saturday food market outside the shop and a growing export business for
its own label products and a greater emphasis on organic and
environmentally friendly products.
In January 1994 Partridges was granted the Royal Warrant as Grocers to
Her Majesty the Queen and in 2008 John Shepherd (below) took great pleasure in becoming the
President of the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
http://www.partridges.co.uk/thestore?sessionid=13357376458581ba9babeccb157288698417bb1c64