With Wilko's closure adding the struggles already facing the town centre, the large Cotham Street building remained vacant for around 18 months after the discount supermarket chain departed in September 2023.
This is partly why there was much excitement when Joseph James confirmed that it would take over the site earlier this year, with the business already operating successful stores in Stockport and Stretford.
Unique in its approach of taking over disused retail stores while operating as a modern furniture outlet, there was a huge response to the business' launch back in April, and this positive feedback has only continued in the intervening months.
![The Cotham Street store is full of branded clearing furniture items]()
The Cotham Street store is full of branded clearing furniture items (Image: St Helens Star)
Speaking about the response to the St Helens store, Joseph, from Wilmslow, said: "People have been really supportive since we opened here, and we have had plenty of five star reviews.
"People seem really happy with the variety of stock that we have and we're pleased to see that customers are choosing a real variety of stock, from the less expensive to the high value products.
"We always look for trends in each of our stores, and from this we have made slight changes to our opening hours and to offer more smaller furniture items, which is what a lot of customers seem to be looking for."
![The business has had great feedback from customers]()
The business has had great feedback from customers (Image: St Helens Star)
With Joseph James described as the 'TK Maxx of furniture', the team prides itself on offering branded clearing stock that is of great value and great quality.
Launched by school friends Joseph Shenton and James Pullen, the business serves as the only furniture outlet where you can view products in store and online in real time.
Highlighting their modern approach to business, the founders have also built a social media presence with tens of thousands of followers across various platforms, who they hope will visit their stores whenever they are in need of new items.
And with plans to expand the business even further, the team also aim to utilise the latest technology to develop more efficient ways of monitoring and acquiring stock for the benefit of their customers.
![The business aims to modernise and develop even futher]()
The business aims to modernise and develop even futher (Image: St Helens Star)
Joseph James' new opening hours are 9am to 5pm, from Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
![Joseph James opened in the former Wilko building in April]()
Joseph James opened in the former Wilko building in April (Image: St Helens Star)
