The push for the discount retailer to consider Bathurst is gaining momentum, with one Facebook Page, Bring Kmart to Bathurst, reaching almost 1,000 likes just days after the page was established.

Kenzie Hunt, the woman behind the Facebook Page, said she set it up a week ago and never imagined the page would take off like it has.

“It has almost 1,000 likes, I can’t believe the reaction it has gotten.”

“I’m so shocked, Bathurst is such a great community the way it bands together.

“When I put the page up I thought I’d get a couple of friends like it, but everyone is getting behind it, I think it shows people really want the store here.”

Kenzie, who moved to Bathurst a few years ago from Newcastle said she really  thinks there is room for another big department store in the city.

“I came from Newcastle where there is literally a Kmart on every corner.”

She said she, like hundreds of other people, travel to Orange to shop at Kmart, but believes the local economy is strong enough for the city to support its own Kmart.

“What they sell is different from Target and Big W, Kmart stock has more flair and funkiness.”

When the Western Advocate posted a story on social media on Sunday, it attracted an enormous response; 311 shares and over 350 comments, and the message was crystal clear.

The people of Bathurst want Kmart to come to the city.

On the Western Advocate’s Facebook page one reader wrote: “I think they would thrive here. It would encourage Lithgow shoppers into town too, since they are directly halfway between the Orange and Penrith Kmarts and a two-hour trip no matter what.”

Nikki Jones wrote “Definitely bring Kmart back they have a great range of kids cloths miss having it.”

Another reader wrote “would love to see Kmart come back to Bathurst. So much better value for the kids clothes and a good range of homewares.”

Kmart said in a statement last week while it had “no firm plans” to open a store in Bathurst, it was a possibility in the future.

“We are always looking for new locations to bring people our everyday low prices, and that includes Bathurst,” the spokesperson said.