COLLEAGUES from Old Basing chippie, Oliver’s Restaurant and Takeaway, are centre stage in a piece of art called High Street Heroes. 

The piece promotes this weekend’s Small Business Saturday and features 61 shopkeepers from 40 small businesses. Included are Oliver’s manager John Clement and waitress Kirsty Randall.

High Street Heroes is by legendary British pop artist Sir Peter Blake and was commissioned by American Express, which is an active supporter of Small Business Saturday, taking place this weekend.

The image can be downloaded as a free poster by visiting amexshopsmall.co.uk.

Sir Peter said: "Small shops and the Great British shopkeeper have been at the forefront of British culture for hundreds of years now.

“The notion of a Nation of Shopkeepers is embedded in our folklore and the wonderful variety of today’s independent shops as well as the character that small businesses bring to a local area make them an ideal subject matter for modern pop art.”

Chuffed to be featured so prominently in the work, John said: “We have a responsibility to provide the best possible products with the best possible service to our local community, which as a long-standing family business we are an integral part of.

"Sir Peter Blake’s artwork really celebrates the independent shopkeeper’s commitment to the community and we’re very proud to be a part of it.”

Business owner Joe Chojecki said: “The photographer obviously thought John and Kirsty were interesting subjects, as did Sir Peter because he positioned them front and centre of his artwork.

“Oliver's is supporting the SBS campaign because we hope that through the artwork by one of Britain's most iconic artists we will shine a spotlight on small businesses and help us raise their profile.”