General News
16 March, 2024
Op-shop part of old hotel plans
INGLEWOOD Ambulance Op-Shop expects to move to a new premises within months. Co-ordinator Faye Orange and volunteers had been left searching for a home after its long-time shop building in Brooke Street was put on the market. From mid-year the...
INGLEWOOD Ambulance Op-Shop expects to move to a new premises within months.
Co-ordinator Faye Orange and volunteers had been left searching for a home after its long-time shop building in Brooke Street was put on the market.
From mid-year the op-shop expects to be trading from part of the old Royal Hotel after talks with one of the historic building’s owners Graham Francis.
“It’s a huge weight lifted from the shoulders,” Fay said after receiving the key to the original Masonic lodge room section of the 1863 hotel that has been closed for more than three years.
Mr Francis, of GWF Holiday Rentals, said he was developing concepts to convert the second storey of the building designed by noted goldfields architects William and Robert Getzschmann into apartments and Airbnb accommodation.
“Downstairs in the front section we are looking at creating a wine bar where local wineries can showcase their products, something different but complimentary to what the town already has,” Mr Francis said.
He said the old lodge room facing Verdon Street to be used by the op-shop was self-contained within the hotel building and he wanted to support the town.
Faye said new premises would allow the op-shop to continue more than 40 years of fundraising in the community.