THE Bathurst Community Op Shop will reopen for business exactly three weeks after it was badly damaged by fire.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A significant blaze started in the business in the early hours of May 27, forcing its immediate closure and resulting in an estimated $100,000 damage bill.
Bathurst Regional councillor Bobby Bourke, who has had a long involvement with the op shop, said he was keen to see it reopened.
“We’re going to use the outside verandahs until things are up and running inside,” he said.
“The volunteers are really down and they’re lost and they’re looking for something to do.”
With many donated items lost in the fire, Cr Bourke has called for additional donations from the community.
The store will reopen on Friday with hours to remain at 9am until 4pm weekdays until further notice.
Meanwhile, the man charged with setting fire to the shop, along with a separate fire at a petrol bowser at the Caltex Service Station on Durham Street, was refused bail following a brief court appearance on June 2.
Anthony James Lewis Rigney, 34, of Howick Street, appeared before Bathurst Local Court charged with two counts of damaging or destroying property by fire, and driving a motor vehicle while suspended.