Golf club fire: Cafe boss loses $12,000 and lays off staff | Photos

John Vandenberg, owner of the Blind Pig Bar and Cafe, said he provided financial backing for his chef Mark Tracey to run the restaurant and cater for functions at the golf club.

Mr Vandenberg said stock, cash, personal items and some furniture he owned, plus the chef's knives and other equipment, had been lost in the fire.

He said because the restaurant was now closed he had been forced to lay off Mr Tracey and another staff member, which would would involve further expense to cover their entitlements.

"I've had to sack two people and I have lost $10,000-12,000 out of my own pocket," he said.

"[I feel] very terrible. I don't think anyone would ever enjoy having to sack people.

"I have to sack these people because I don't have a position for them."

Mr Vandenberg said he believed the insurance on his McNamara Street business would also have covered his stock and expenses at the club.

But when he contacted them after the weekend's fire he was told his policy only covered the Blind Pig and not other premises.

"My insurer just said 'naa'," he said.

"I didn't even think about it, but one way or the other I imagined I would be covered, because I was operating for all intents and purposes as the Blind Pig up there.

"I would have expected if something like this had happened at least the money to replace my stock would happen but my insurer just said 'naa', it's on this situation [the Blind Pig] only."

"I found out through my insurance broker in Bathurst you would need an add-on, and that's very expensive."

Wentworth Golf Club general manager James Bale said he wanted to make it clear there was no contract or financial arrangement between the club and Mr Vandenberg.

"We only had a contract with Mark Tracey. Our caterer is Mark Tracey," he said.

Mr Bale said it was up to caterers to provide their own insurance.

Mr Tracey has declined to comment.

A spokeswoman for the Insurance Council of Australia said small business operators had options for extra cover.

"Small businesses that have the flexibility of working in different locations should discuss their insurance requirements with a broker," she said.

"There are several insurance product options available to protect small business owners from financial loss when conducting business off-site."

Meanwhile, the pro shop at the golf club has re-opened to enable the golf course to continue to operate.

Police have said Saturday morning's blaze was likely started by an electrical fault.