For Bisi and Mayo Osundeko, the transformation of Go Local Junction Lane is measured in more than pounds and pence. The couple took over a struggling neighbourhood shop in St Helens turning over around £1,200 a week.
Today, the independent Go Local store generates more than £19,000 a week – but the bigger transformation has been in what the shop means to the community around it.
The Osundekos describe themselves as life partners as well as business partners, with a shared vision of making the store a place where customers feel “seen, supported and valued”.
Their strengths are complementary. While one focuses on strategic planning, supplier relationships, promotions, compliance and business development, the other concentrates on customer engagement, team management, stock control and the day-to-day running of the store.
That division of responsibility has allowed the couple to make decisions quickly while maintaining a clear sense of accountability. Major decisions are discussed together, ideas are challenged and opportunities assessed jointly. For a business that has had to evolve significantly from its original neighbourhood-shop format, that ability to combine different perspectives has been central to its progress.
Investment has gone into modernising the layout, expanding the range, improving merchandising, maximising supplier promotions and introducing services that customers wanted. But the store’s strongest differentiator is its community role.
The Osundekos support food-bank initiatives, helping local families experiencing hardship access essential items and encouraging customers, suppliers and the wider community to contribute. Their community work also extends to children and young people, particularly those with additional needs and disabilities.
Their Retail Day initiative gives disabled young people an opportunity to experience the workplace, build employability skills and develop confidence.
Literacy is another strand of their community work. An in-store book club encourages children and families to read and connect, while the couple also support schools, local organisations and other neighbourhood initiatives.
The store has also invested in being a more inclusive place. Its diverse team reflects the community it serves, with staff trained to be anti-racist and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and hate. Team members are first-aid trained and provide additional support to elderly, visually impaired and vulnerable customers.
The Osundekos have even supported vulnerable women arriving at the store seeking safety from abusive situations, arranging transport and support where needed.
Their commitment to wellbeing extends to suicide-awareness training for the team. Beyond the store, they have raised more than £500 for Willowbrook Hospice, supported local football groups and schools, and used their community Facebook group to keep residents connected.
With two stores, five years of trading, a 1,000–2,500 sq ft format and Parfetts as their wholesaler, the Osundekos have built a business that combines commercial growth with a distinctly personal approach to community retail. The numbers show the scale of the turnaround; the relationships with customers explain why it matters.