147-year-old Barr’s Butchers to unveil expanded Ballymoney Street store after major redevelopment

One of Ballymena’s oldest and best-loved butcher shops will open its newly expanded premises on Tuesday 25 November, marking a major milestone for the long-established family business.

Barr’s Family Butchers – first opened by master butcher George Barr in 1878 – has been a cornerstone of Ballymena town centre for nearly 147 years.

Located on Ballymoney Street, the historic butchery has served generations of local families and remained in the Barr family across five generations.

The company is now led by George’s great-great-grandson, Trevor Barr, who has overseen a significant redevelopment of the business in recent years.

An early photo of George Barr’s butchers shop in Ballymena.

The expansion forms part of ongoing regeneration across Ballymoney Street and reflects the butchery’s growing reputation for convenience foods, fresh produce, and artisan deli items across County Antrim.

A New Era for a Ballymena Favourite

Speaking to Love Ballymena when plans were first unveiled in March 2022, Trevor explained:

“I recently purchased the two premises beside our shop which will enable us expand to create a more vibrant and modern-day butchers shop for our customers.

“We have exciting plans to increase our range of convenience, ready meals, deli items, and salad boxes. We also will be selling barista style coffee for take-away, and will have space to stock a wider selection of freshly prepared vegetables.”

Trevor Barr, owner of Barr’s Butchers in Ballymena.

Trevor added:

“With the extension will come the opportunity for more jobs for the Ballymena area with a bigger team here at Barr’s”.

The newly built store will offer an expanded product range and deliver a welcome boost to local employment as the business continues to grow.

Opening Day

Barr’s Butchers has confirmed that its brand new Ballymoney Street store will officially open at 9am on Tuesday 25 November.

A spokesperson said:

“The wait is finally almost over… Barr’s Butchers will officially open its doors at our brand-new premises on Tuesday /5 November at 9am.

“We’ve got amazing special offers lined up for opening day, and that’s not all…

“We’ll also be announcing the winner of our £100 voucher!

“Make sure to come down to see what all the fuss is about. Trust us… it’s been worth the wait!”

The refurbishment represents a major step for the fourth-generation Ballymena business, which will now offer an even greater range of fresh local produce, artisan deli items, convenience meals, and traditional craft butchery.

Barr’s Butchers remains renowned for providing 100% Northern Irish beef, all boned in-house by its master butchers. The business produces its soups, stews, pies and salads in a state-of-the-art facility outside Ballymena, ensuring freshness and quality across its entire range.

With the expansion complete and the unveiling tomorrow, the countdown is officially on for customers eager to see the new store for themselves.