Middlesbrough convenience store operator Bay Bashir has expanded his retail portfolio with the opening of his sixth store, Go Local Extra on Borough Road. Working alongside his sons Ellis and Max, Bashir took over the 1,500-sq-ft site at 176 Borough Road, adding to his existing stores in Belle Vue, Beechwood, Saltersgill, Fleet, and Wolviston.
New Store Details
The new store, which was previously a Best-One convenience store for 20 years, will be managed and operated day-to-day by Ellis and Max with support from their father. It extends the Bashir family's long-standing partnership with employee-owned wholesaler Go Local Wholesale, formerly known as Parfetts.
Bashir opened his first Middlesbrough store in Belle Vue in 1999 and became a loyal Go Local Extra retailer eight years ago. The Borough Road store offers an expanded range of convenience services, including Lottery, PayPoint, a slush machine, and a self-serve Costa Coffee station.
Opening Promotions
To celebrate the opening, the first 120 customers spending £10 or more received a complimentary goody bag, while the 500th customer through the doors won a 55-inch smart TV.
Bashir said: "Trading conditions across independent retail are tough, but working with Go Local Wholesale gives us the margin protection, footfall drivers, and operational flexibility we need to keep growing."
He added: "Their strong stock availability, sharp promotional pricing, and transparent approach let us pass clear savings on to our customers without squeezing our margins. Opening this outstanding sixth site is a proud moment for our family, with my sons taking on all operational and management duties."
Community Involvement
Bay, Ellis, and Max Bashir bring a strong track record of community involvement to the new site. Across his retail store network, Bashir regularly supports local causes, including sponsoring kits and equipment for Boro Rangers football club, assisting nearby schools such as Beech Grove Primary, and fundraising for regional charities including Teesside Hospice and James Cook University Hospital. The family has raised over £10,000 for local good causes.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director at Go Local Wholesale, said: "Bay is an exceptional retailer whose commitment to his community and high operational standards represent the very best of local retailing. His focus on quality service makes him an ideal partner as we continue to grow our symbol estate across the UK."
He added: "As Go Local Wholesale expands nationally, our priority remains providing ambitious retailers like Bay with the buying power, flexible trading terms, and practical support they need to run efficient, profitable stores."
Go Local Wholesale operates nine depots across the UK, supplying over 2,000 symbol group retailers with free membership and free delivery.
