A popular shoe store is due to shut after nearly 100 years in business. McKillens has been a top choice for shoes in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, since 1926. The store was closed on Tuesday before its final closing-down sale on Wednesday.

In recent years, huge numbers of businesses have faced financial difficulties, with popular high street stores facing no other option than to close. Locals are heartbroken to hear that the well-known and much-loved icon of the town’s high street will be no more.

Jo Montgomery and Anne Allenwent to visit the store to buy shoes for a wedding,

Anne told BBC: “We were coming to McKillens to look for shoes for the wedding but it’s closed, I can’t believe it.”

She added: “It’s very disappointing, so sad to see.”

According to reports, four generations have worked in the shop, which has been their life.

The owner of McKillens, Thomas McKillen, said the store was packed on Wednesday morning as shoppers came for discounted shoes.

He told BBC News NI: “The appreciation and support we have had from family, from all our staff, old retired staff, and the general public – the messages we have received has just been very touching.”

Thomas says he grew up working in the store, starting to help out aged seven. He says it is sad to see the store closing down and that the high street is “not what it used to be.”

He says the business has faced difficulties with the rise of online shopping and the Covid pandemic.

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He adds that the property is two times the size it should be for the turnover so “overheads are massive.”

Peter Kincaid, and Anne Speers, from Ballymena, said they have watched the town grow quiet over the years.

“The town is dying,” said Peter, with shops closing “regularly now”.

The news comes just after local department store Wyse Byse also announced it would be closing in the town. Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts called McKillens closure “extremely sad.”