As JB Hi Fi prepares to open its first regional outlet in Dubbo this week, the people of Bathurst have taken to social media to pitch for a store here as well.

A JB Hi Fi spokesperson told the Western Advocate there were no immediate plans to open a Bathurst store but would not rule it out in future - and that was enough to prompt a wave of encouragement.

A post on the Advocate Facebook page on Friday evening attracted 460 “reactions” and almost 100 comments – and nearly all of them wanted to see JB Hi Fi come to Bathurst.

“Definitely!” was Steve Limbrick’s answer to the question of would he like to see JB Hi Fi in Bathurst.

“The one store I miss since moving here from Sydney.

“We can get to the Penrith store quicker than the Dubbo one, so one is definitely needed in this part of the Central West.

“It’d have market share from Lithgow to Orange and everywhere in between.”

Matthew Irvine wrote: “I shop at JB Hi Fi a fair bit when I’m in Sydney. I’d welcome them locally.”

And while it was the demise of Dick Smith Electronics and a vacancy in the Bathurst City Centre that first got people talking about JB Hi Fi, our readers had another suggested site for the store.

A number suggested larger premises at Kelso would become available once Masters closes its outlets in December.

Readers also took the chance to pitch for other large retailers to come to town, with department store Kmart and Portuguese-style chicken fast food outlet Oporto popular targets.