Red Cross shop set to reopen following arson attack

It is hoped that the shop, which is being repaired, can reopen by September

A charity shop damaged in an arson attack hopes to reopen seven months after the "devastating incident".

The British Red Cross shop on St Benedicts Street, Norwich, suffered "significant damage" in the attack on 25 February.

Regional manager Mark Dawson said: "We are a charitable organisation. We do a lot of good for a lot of people. Why anyone would want to target us is beyond us."

Darren Ince, 57, of no fixed address, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on 3 July and was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, and put on extended licence for two years.

Mr Dawson, who is responsible for 24 British Red Cross shops across the East of England, said: "The biggest damage is to the people, and actually it's been absolutely devastating for the people that work in the shop, for our shop team, our volunteers, our regular customers, our donors - all these people that took contact with the shop for granted."

While the shop has been closed, it has been unable to take any donations

Since it closed, the shop has suffered more than £90,000-worth of losses and has stopped receiving donations.

"The shop provides so many services to so many different people," Mr Dawson said.

"To have that taken away with no notice was pretty devastating for all concerned... It's going to take a lot of money and a lot of effort to get the shop back open again, but the damage to people's wellbeing is pretty immeasurable."

'Serious consequences'

Ince pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

PC James Macavoy said: "His actions could have had serious consequences and we are incredibly lucky that no one was hurt.

"I hope this sentence offers reassurance to the staff of the shop and the local residents that we will continue to work to remove people like Ince from the streets of Norfolk."

The charity said it was looking forward to taking in donations and reopening the shop by September.