A CHARITY shop gutted by fire four months ago finally reopened this week after a thorough refurbishment.
Staff and volunteers at Age UK in the town centre were left devastated by the arson attack on the shop.
It cost £25,000 to repair the damage to the shop on New Street and the charity also suffered significant lost takings over the four months it’s been closed.
The fire was started deliberately about four hours after a break in early on Sunday July 16.
Fire-fighters from four stations attended the blaze and were there for two hours. A fire service spokesman confirmed it had been started deliberately.
The shop lost its entire stock which included many once-treasured items that had been donated by members of the public, including cuddly toys left blackened and singed.
But this week the store was finally reopened after being fully repaired and refurbished, offering a brighter layout as well as a range of new items.
The charity is hoping it will be a huge success and local shoppers looking for clothes, accessories, books and home-ware will support it and help make up some of the lost income over the last four months.
Steve Wooldridge, head of retail operations at Age UK, said: “It has taken a lot of work but we are absolutely delighted to be throwing our doors open to the local community in Barnsley again.
“Age UK’s shops not only provide much needed funds for the charity, but are really important community hubs too. We are urging everyone in the area to pop in and have a look, and also to bring along any donations to the store.
“Not only could you be helping another customer find a unique item that they will cherish; you’ll also be helping the charity raise vital funds to deliver a range of services to help ensure older people across the country can make the most of later life.”
Following the fire, little damage was visible from the front other than the smoked-stained shop window, because it had been started at the back door.
But the stock room and the back part of the building were left gutted, and the entire building and all the stock on the shop floor suffered extensive smoke damage.
Donations have been flooding in to replace the ruined stock, but staff are hoping people will support it with even more donations now the shop is reopen.
It stocks a wide range of both donated and new items, and is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
