Earlier this week it was announced that the historic, family-run Ballymena shoe shop McKillens will close its doors after 100 years in business.

Established in 1926, the retailer has long been described as being at the “heart of the town”, but citing “increasing overheads, online shopping and the demise of the high street”, it has now had to admit defeat.

It is the second family-owned business in Ballymena to announce its closure in recent weeks, after discount store Wyse Byse shut down following the retirement of its co-founder.

I spent a fair bit of my childhood in McKillens. A Saturday visit was a proper outing. It was so busy you had to take a number and wait your turn, which felt deeply unfair when you were five and convinced a new pair of Lelli Kellys or Skecher’s Twinkle Toes would change your life.

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