A London-based family-run food store that is a favourite among royalty is closing its flagship store, its owner has confirmed.

Partridges will close its store located on Duke of York Square, Chelsea, on February 2.

The business has been running in the capital for 53 years and owner John Shepherd confirmed the store at 17-19 Gloucester Road in Kensington will still operate.

He posted on the website: ‘We are of course very sad to be leaving Chelsea and are grateful to landlord Cadogan for allowing us the opportunity to develop our creativity in Duke of York Square, especially in supporting us to create a Fine Food Market in Chelsea.

‘Our understanding is that Cadogan will take over the running of the market from February 8th and the shop premises from the middle of February.

‘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.’

The closure comes just weeks after the shop was awarded a royal warrant by King Charles.

It had also previously held a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth since 1994.

The shop is known for selling some unusual food items like frozen jugged hare, bird’s nest soup and gulls eggs.

It is has also been visited by royalty – with Princess Michael of Kent appearing as a judge in Partridges’ World Chelsea Bun Awards in 2023.

In response to the announced closure, 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.’

He added that Cadogan would try and find a new grocer as its tenant for the flagship site.