The Salvation Army store in Carrington Street has closed its doors for a few weeks while major renovations take place after leasing the building next door.

Pastor Phil Sutcliffe told the Lismore App that when the old Maven (and Bridal shop prior to that) space became available they jumped at the chance to expand their floor space which will lead to more items, especially furniture, being offered to the public with an additional 120-130 square metres of floor space.

(Pastor Phil Sutcliffe in the new Salvation Army space, next door to their existing Carrington Street space. A doorway will be constructed on the right hand side to join the two spaces.)

"We thought about applying for the lease at the start of 2020 but it just wasn't the right time, then when the lease became available at the end of January we jumped at it as we are desperate for more space," Phil said.

"When this building was first constructed it was one open space which now is split between the Salvo's, Maven and Tursa. All three spaces were open and connected, you could even drive a vehicle through the building."

"It was a warehouse for a while, a fruit and vegie shop for a while and then it was divided into separate office spaces."

Phil is stepping back in time to build a doorway between the old and space so the Salvation Army can connect the two spaces once again.

The new area will display an expanded bric-a-brac range of cutlery, plates and knick knacks as well as the book library which is in high demand and furniture.

"Covid has seen this massive increase in items that people want to donate," Phil explained, "a lot of people were working from home so being in their space more often made them think we have to de-clutter and get rid of stuff so we have seen this massive increase in donations."

"The most important part of the space is the back area. It gives us so much more room to receive donations, sort them and prep them for sale. This has been one of our big issues in our current space, especially during COVID when you were working through square metre rules."

If you do have items to donate to charity, the Salvo's offer a free pick-up service as well as drop-off to Eggins Lane which begins renovations this week to improve drainage and to resurface the road.

There are about twenty five (25) regular volunteers in the existing set-up. This has been more difficult during COVID because of JobSeeker and the relaxation of the work-for-the-dole rules but this should improve again in March once the JobSeeker payments return to pre-covid levels.

"We are always looking for volunteers," Phil said, "especially truck drivers and truck off-siders. People who can help head to a home, lift furniture and deliver to our back area here in Carrington Street. Our trucks are car licensed truck which makes it easier for people."

Phil confirmed that all the money raised in the Lismore Salvation Army store stays in the Lismore area. People that need financial aid, food assistance or bills and all kinds of expenses in this community.

With JobSeeker and JobKeeper kicking in from March 2020, Phil has not yet seen an increased need for assistance but is expecting the demand to rise when JobSeeker returns to normal and JobKeeper ends at the end of March.

"Not-For-Profit operations have been advocating for an increase in Newstart, or what is now JobSeeker, "Phil said, "we have seen the positive ways that it has affected peoples lives but we know that as soon it gets turned off at the end of March people will be back in the same boat like twelve or eighteen months ago. That is when we think we will see the need for our goods and services increase."

The re-opening date depends on how construction and the new fit-out progresses in the coming weeks but the last week in February is the initial target.

The Lismore App will keep you informed.