McGroggan’s closure marks end of an era for Ballymena after more than a century

McGroggan’s shop on William Street, Ballymena

McGroggan’s, one of Ballymena’s most recognisable family-run businesses, has announced it will close its long-established William Street shop later this week, bringing an end to more than a century of trading in the town centre.

The much-loved business, renowned for its homemade ice cream and traditional treats, confirmed on Saturday that it will close its doors permanently on May 30, 2026.

First established in 1923 by Hugh and Annie McGroggan, the shop became a Ballymena institution across generations, with families returning decade after decade for ice cream made using recipes carefully handed down through the family.

For many local people, McGroggan’s was more than simply a shop. It became woven into childhood memories, Sunday traditions and family outings spanning multiple generations of Ballymena residents.

In a statement shared on social media, the McGroggan family described the decision to close as heartbreaking.

“After a remarkable 103-year journey, it is with a heavy heart that we announce McGroggan’s will be closing its doors on May 30th, 2026,” the statement read.

“Our family is immensely grateful for the incredible community that has supported us. Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for your loyalty, memories, and support throughout the years.”

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Alison O’Neill, daughter of owner Brian McGroggan, said rising costs and collapsing town centre footfall had made continuing impossible.

“In general, the footfall in our town is a disaster,” she said.

“There’s no help for small businesses anymore. We’re getting crucified with costs that have gone way up beyond our control.

“We just couldn’t do it anymore.”

Ms O’Neill said the emotional connection generations of customers had with the shop made the decision especially painful.

“We know it’s been a generational thing,” she said.

“We would have a lot of older customers coming into the shop, saying how they remember their parents and grandparents bringing them there.

“The decision was so hard.”

She also reflected on how dramatically Ballymena town centre has changed over the decades.

“People’s whole spending habits have changed, their lifestyles have changed,” she said.

“We would have had people making their Sunday dinner, then coming up to the shop to get some ice cream for dessert.

“When I was younger working in the shop we would have had buses pulling up to get ice cream. The town was thriving then.

“Now, there isn’t a sinner or being on the street.

“We would have had a lot of trade from the local bars, but our trade died years ago. There were 11 bars on William Street that were all so busy, but they’re all gone now.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of sadness online, with many local people paying tribute to the McGroggan family and sharing memories of visits stretching back decades.

Another blow for Ballymena’s high street

The closure comes just weeks after the loss of another long-standing Ballymena retailer, McKillens on Church Street, further fuelling concerns about the future of the town centre and the mounting pressures facing independent traders.

The town has also seen recent closures including Wyse Byse, and The Old Mill Bakery on Mill Street.

Speaking previously following the closure of McKillens, Trevor Barr of Barr’s Family Butchers warned Ballymena risked losing the reputation that once made it one of Northern Ireland’s leading shopping destinations.

Barr’s Family Butchers, first established by master butcher George Barr in 1878, has itself traded in Ballymena for nearly 148 years. The business is now led by George Barr’s great-great-grandson, Trevor Barr, who said the current trading climate was among the most difficult he had experienced in more than four decades running the family business.

Mr Barr warned that soaring costs, rising rates, increasing wage bills and declining footfall were placing enormous pressure on traders, adding that unless urgent action was taken, more closures and job losses would follow.

The announcement prompted an outpouring of sadness online, with many local people paying tribute to the McGroggan family and sharing memories of visits stretching back decades.

Jon Burrows calls for town centre revival plan

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows said the closure represented the loss of far more than a business.

“Like so many people, I am saddened to hear of the closure of McGroggan’s in Ballymena,” he said.

“For generations this iconic family business has been part of the fabric of our town, creating memories for local families, visitors and children enjoying what many would call ‘the best ice cream in the country.’

“Its closure is not just the loss of a shop.”

Mr Burrows said independent businesses were facing relentless pressure from rising costs, online competition, rates burdens and declining footfall.

He called for the creation of a dedicated High Street Task Force for Northern Ireland to support struggling town centres and independent traders.

Among the measures he proposed were:

• Better parking solutions

• Meaningful rate relief for small businesses

• Investment in upgrading and regenerating town centres

• Support to increase footfall and local trade

• A long-term strategy to support independent family businesses

“This is what politicians should be doing — too many want to debate international affairs in Stormont whilst they neglect addressing issues at home,” he said.

“Our high streets matter. They are about more than commerce — they are about community, identity and pride of place.

“Thank you to everyone at McGroggan’s for the memories, the service and the contribution you made to Ballymena over so many years.”

One last chance to visit McGroggan’s

With just days remaining before McGroggan’s serves its final customers, many local people are expected to make one last visit to the iconic William Street shop to enjoy an ice cream and say goodbye to a business that has been part of Ballymena life for generations.

The shop will remain open daily until 8pm throughout its final week of trading, giving customers an opportunity to call in for one last taste of the much-loved McGroggan’s ice cream before the doors close for the final time on May 30.