NEWS

The former Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle town centre Seventeen months on, a closed street and an unresolved building safety issue are now threatening the future of a £2million investment designed to rejuvenate Ballycastle town centre. Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim, Philip McGuigan , has called for urgent collaboration between the owner of the Antrim Arms and statutory organisations to address structural safety and planning concerns that have left Fairhill Street closed —

Queues formed outside McKillen’s of Ballymena last week when the shop first announced its closure After a century on Church Street, one of Ballymena’s best-known family retailers is preparing to close its doors — bringing to an end a story that began with a single brave decision in 1926. One hundred years ago, a 30-year-old Tom McKillen left his job at McDowells Boot and Shoe Store and opened his own gents’ footwear shop on Church Street, Ballymena. From those modest beginnin

Saturday 21 February 2026 Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary Irish fiction, gripping thrillers and even a literary classic making this week’s chart. From bold new voices to beloved authors, the list reflects a wide range of reading tastes across Ballymena — with strong interest in both page-turning suspense and thoughtful literary storytelling. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp

Elevations of proposed apartment complex Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s planning department is considering two separate housing proposals in the town centre area of Ballymena. A planning application has been lodged with the local authority for the construction of a four-storey apartment building to the rear of Broughshane Street. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of Galgorm Developments for four two-bedroom apartments, a communal hallway and amen

McKillen’s on Church Street, Ballymena launches its closing down sale on Wednesday morning as customers queue up looking for a bargain and taking one last opportunity to visit the much-loved local business Ballymena BID has said it is “deeply saddened” by news regarding McKillen’s of Ballymena, as the long-established Church Street retailer reaches its 100th year at the heart of the town centre. The Business Improvement District has urged the community to support the business

Elected members of the DUP party group on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Party says below-inflation rise safeguards services and delivers long-term investment The DUP has defended its decision to vote in favour of a 2.95% rates increase at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, arguing the move was necessary to protect frontline services while enabling significant long-term investment across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne. The DUP party group includes elected members R

Sinn Féin councillor in Ballymena, Bréanainn Lyness A Sinn Féin councillor in Ballymena has abstained from voting on a 2.95 per cent rates increase, breaking with party colleagues who supported the rise at Monday night’s rates-setting meeting. Bréanainn Lyness said he could not “in good conscience” back the increase, citing the continued decline of Ballymena town centre and the impact rising costs are having on local businesses and traders. During last night’s vote DUP, All

North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC The closure of McKillen’s on Church Street has been described as a devastating blow to Ballymena town centre, with North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC warning that rising overheads and business rates are “strangling” local retailers and accelerating the decline of the high street. In a strongly worded statement, Mr Allister said the loss of the century-old family business, coming shortly after the closure of Wyse Byse, marked a critical moment fo

McKillen’s on Church Street, Ballymena McKillen’s , the much-loved family-run department store that has stood at the heart of Ballymena town centre for a century, has announced it will close after 100 years of trading, bringing an era to an end on Church Street. Established by the McKillen family in 1926, the business has served generations of customers from across Ballymena and far beyond — from fitting children with their first pair of shoes to ensuring elderly customers re

The Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena marks 180 years The Adair Arms Hotel is celebrating nearly 180 years of continuous service in Ballymena, marking a remarkable milestone for one of Northern Ireland’s oldest hotels and a landmark that has stood at the centre of town life since 1846. Founded by Sir Robert Adair and designed by renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon at a cost of £3,650, the Adair Arms was built at a time when Ballymena was emerging as an important industrial and ci

Wyse Byse on Church Street, Ballymena A much-loved Ballymena retailer that has been part of daily life for generations is preparing to close its doors after more than half a century in business. Wyse Byse, a familiar presence on Church Street – and before that Wellington Street – will cease trading in the coming weeks, bringing to an end 53 years of independent retailing that has left a lasting mark on Ballymena and beyond. For decades, families from Ballymena and further afi

Wellington Street in Ballymena town centre Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed to double funding for the Town Centre Revamp Refresh initiative after almost 100 businesses across the borough applied for support. A report presented to the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday evening revealed there were 47 applications from Ballymena, 28 from Carrickfergus and 22 from Larne. The report stated that £40,000 wa

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and practical health titles dominating readers’ choices this week. The list reflects strong demand for gripping page-turners alongside acclaimed novels and lifestyle releases, as book lovers settle into their January reading routines. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books… 1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell A powerful and intimate novel exploring motherhood, displ

One of the fake £20 Bank of England notes that was passed to a local retailer Businesses across Ballymena are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of a significant rise in counterfeit bank notes circulating in the town over the past fortnight. Several local traders have contacted Love Ballymena to warn fellow business owners after discovering fake notes being passed during everyday transactions, particularly in busy retail settings. According to reports received,

Castle Street 3 car park, Ballymena CCTV has been installed at a Ballymena town centre car park following a series of reports of antisocial behaviour, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed. The Church Street 3 car park, which can be accessed from both Castle Street and the Larne Road Link, has become a regular meeting point for young drivers during night-time hours. While the area is commonly used for parking, concerns have been raised due to its close proximity t

Sam Moore of S&T Moore, Coleraine A long-established Coleraine menswear retailer is entering a new chapter after nearly half a century, as owner Samuel Moore prepares for retirement and the business is taken over by Wallace’s of Ballymena. In a statement released this today (Tuesday 13 January 2026), S & T Moore confirmed that Samuel Moore will be stepping back after 48 years at the helm of the business — a store that began as a small local shop and went on to become a famili

The Food Warehouse store set to open in Ballymena Ballymena is set to welcome a major new retail arrival, with The Food Warehouse , part of the Iceland Food Group, preparing to open its newest Northern Ireland store in the town. The Ballymena outlet will be the fifth Food Warehouse location in Northern Ireland, joining existing stores in Newtownabbey, Belfast, Craigavon and Banbridge. Love Ballymena understands the store is expected to open its doors before the end of March 2

Tom presenting the Christmas Window Dressing - Hospitality Award to Kim from Shot Coffee Shop Festive creativity and community spirit were centre stage across Ballymena this Christmas as the Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2025 Christmas Window Dressing Competition. Organised by Ballymena Chamber of Commerce , the long-running competition attracted a record number of entries this year, reflecting growing enthusiasm among local businesses to create eye-catchin

Police in Ballymena have launched an investigation following a reported assault involving a female member of staff and a customer at a local bar. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Friday evening, 19 December 2025, at the Grouse Bar in Ballymena. Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The incident, which occurred during what is typically a busy period for hospitalit

Dunluce Street, Larne Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of planned “cosmetic improvements” for Dunluce Street in Larne. A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee said the scheme will include the cleaning and painting of property façades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering, and the replacement of hoarding at a derelict gap site. Dunluce Street, a key town centre thoroughfare, was previously