Butcher set to reopen Southside Hot Bread bakery

It will cost double what he initially planned in what he says has been the hardest few months of his life after purchasing the building 12 months.

"I've owned and had businesses for 20 years, but nothing has been as hard as this rebuild," Butcher said.

"One bill for the electrical work alone was $55,000, my bank account is zilch at the moment so I have to turn it around and go back the other way somehow."

The new-look bakery will officially reopen on Monday with further plans for expansion next door.

There are signs of life in South Lismore with Affordable Beauty and other surrounding shops open.

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"I'm really happy with the outcome, it's been a lot of money, so I really hope the clientele will be there to justify what I've spent now," Butcher said.

"I just can't wait to fill the cabinets up, I'm sick of seeing them empty.

"We've got all new machinery in the place, but god help us if we get another flood like the one in February.

"You won't see me if we get another one, I will not be doing this again

"It has pulled the guts out of me in four months, I've never done anything so hard.

"We even bought the Alstonville (bakery) shop just to keep staff in a job while we did the rebuild."

"We actually had to close that for a week when everyone got Covid, so it's just been a crazy time for everyone.

Butcher spoke with NSW premier Dominic Perrottet when he came to Lismore after the first flood.

He said he has been in contact with his office and sent them an email this week about his business reopening.

"They've been in contact with me a couple of times over the past few months," Butcher said.

"We haven't had any more financial assistance after the initial $50,000 and I thought we might have got a little bit more to help us out.

"There has been a hell of a lot of money handed out to some of the big businesses.

"It's very disappointing to think that the government has thrown money at them and now they're not going to reopen.

"I believe they would have been better supporting 200 small businesses who employ 20 people than one company where they're going to sack 200."

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