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Sydney’s Lindt Cafe to reopen on Friday

AAP

AAP

The Lindt Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place will reopen on Friday, three months after a deadly siege that claimed the lives of two hostages and the gunman.

A plaque has been erected inside the cafe to pay tribute to Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnston and lawyer Katrina Dawson, who were killed there along with gunman Man Haron Monis in December last year.

The building has undergone significant works after being boarded up since December, after Monis took over the cafe in a 16-hour standoff which ended with police shooting him dead.

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Lindt Australia CEO Steve Loane said in a statement on Tuesday that reopening the cafe is “the right thing to do”. Doors will open at 10am.

“After the tragic events that happened in December, we discussed this reopening with our staff and gave a lot of thought to next steps,” he said.

Sydney's Lindt cafe will reopen after deadly siege

The building has been renovated after being boarded up since December. Photo: AAP

“Overwhelmingly, the feeling was that reopening and moving forward is the best thing to do for everyone affected.

“We can also confirm there will be a plaque inside the café in memory of Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson. Again, it was felt this was the right thing to do, to remember Tori and Katrina and their spirit.”

Ms Dawson’s husband Paul Smith said last month that he wanted to eventually return to the site with the couple’s three children.

“Katrina loved Lindt chocolate and established a tradition of visiting the Lindt cafe almost every day with her friends and family,” Mr Smith said.

“Although it will be difficult at first, we hope to be able in time to return to the Lindt cafe so that her children can continue to experience one of Katrina’s great joys.”

Mr Johnson’s partner Thomas Zinn also said last month that the cafe was a place for happiness for Mr Johnson after discovering his passion for chocolate while living in Switzerland.

NSW Premier Mike Baird will be one of the first to visit the cafe, which will return to standard trading hours from Saturday onwards.

– with AAP

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