Trevor Barr pays tribute to McKillens while warning over Ballymena’s future

Ballymena businessman Trevor Barr, Barr’s Butchers

The owner of one of Ballymena’s long-established family businesses has paid tribute to the McKillen family following the closure of McKillens on Church Street, while also issuing a stark warning about the growing pressures facing traders across the town centre.

Trevor Barr, of Barr’s Butchers on Ballymoney Street, said the closure of the well-known retailer was both personally sad and symbolic of the wider challenges now threatening independent businesses in Ballymena.

He described McKillens as a business that helped make Ballymena one of Northern Ireland’s leading shopping destinations and said its loss would be felt far beyond the town itself.

“A name known across Northern Ireland”

“Like many people in Ballymena, I was very sad to see McKillens, Church Street close a few weeks ago,” Mr Barr said.

“McKillens was a name known across Northern Ireland and drew people from a wide area to Ballymena.”

“It was one of the many independent traders in Ballymena that made the town a must-go-to shopping destination.”

Mr Barr also spoke personally about the relationship between the two long-established Ballymena businesses and thanked the McKillen family for their support over the years.

“On a personal note I want to thank Thomas and the McKillen family for their support over the years and the business they gave me from The Fern Room restaurant,” he said.

“I wish the McKillen family a well-deserved rest and best wishes for the future.”

Concerns growing over Ballymena town centre

While paying tribute to McKillens, Mr Barr said the closure also highlighted deeper concerns about the direction of Ballymena’s town centre and the mounting pressure on independent retailers.

He warned that McKillens was joining “a long list” of established traders to shut their doors and said the cumulative effect was having a damaging impact on the town.

“This is undoubtedly having a detrimental impact on the town and if action is not taken urgently then more closures and job losses will follow,” he said.

Barr’s Family Butchers, first established by master butcher George Barr in 1878, has been a cornerstone of Ballymena town centre for nearly 148 years. The business is now led by George Barr’s great-great-grandson, Trevor Barr, who has operated the company for the past 45 years and overseen a significant redevelopment of the business in recent years.

Mr Barr said the current trading climate was among the most challenging he had ever experienced.

“With business rates at an all-time high, an ever-increasing wage bill, soaring costs of materials and high fuel cost, I am not surprised businesses are closing,” he said.

His comments reflect wider concerns among traders over rising overheads, reduced footfall and the long-term future of traditional town centre shopping.

Questions over support for traders

Mr Barr also questioned whether further task forces and reviews would deliver practical help for businesses already under severe pressure.

“I see that the local Council are forming a task force to look at these issues. Do we need another task force?” he said.

“What happened to the High Street Task Force formed by central government a few years ago?

“No doubt a lot of money spent on consultants with no end result and no help for traders.”

He warned Ballymena was now at risk of losing the reputation that once made it one of Northern Ireland’s top retail destinations.

“Ballymena once renowned as the top shopping town in Northern Ireland is in danger of losing that prestigious title unless Council take this issue seriously and offer some immediate support for Ballymena traders,” he said.

The closure of prominent independent businesses has become an increasingly visible issue across Ballymena town centre, with traders continuing to voice concerns over rising costs and the long-term sustainability of local retailing.

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Trevor Barr’s statement in full

“Like many people in Ballymena, I was very saddened to see McKillens on Church Street close its doors a few weeks ago. McKillens was a name recognised across Northern Ireland and attracted shoppers from far and wide to Ballymena. It was one of the many independent businesses that helped make the town a must-visit shopping destination.

“On a personal note, I would like to thank Thomas and the McKillen family for their support over the years, as well as the business they brought to The Fern Room restaurant. I wish the McKillen family a well-deserved rest and every success for the future.

“McKillens now joins a growing list of long-standing independent traders in Ballymena that have closed in recent years. This is undoubtedly having a detrimental impact on the town, and unless urgent action is taken, more closures and job losses will inevitably follow.

“Having been in business in Ballymena for almost 45 years, I can honestly say these are among the most challenging times I have ever witnessed. With business rates at an all-time high, wage bills continually increasing, soaring material costs, and high fuel prices, it is no surprise that businesses are struggling to survive.

“I see that the local council is forming a task force to examine these issues. But do we really need another task force? What happened to the High Street Task Force established by central government a few years ago? No doubt significant amounts of money were spent on consultants, yet little meaningful support or tangible results were delivered for local traders.

“Ballymena, once renowned as Northern Ireland’s premier shopping town, is now in danger of losing that prestigious reputation unless the council takes these issues seriously and provides immediate, practical support for Ballymena traders.”