End of an era for long-standing Broughshane Street shop
Diamonds newsagents in Ballymena will close its shutters for the final time on Sunday 30 August 2026, the shop’s owner has announced. The decision marks the end of almost half a century of trading at the business on Broughshane Street, where the owner began trading in 1979.
The proprietor, who has become a well-known local figure, used social media to inform customers of his retirement. In his post he reflected on the shop’s long morning routine and said it would be the last night the “window light” shone from early morning on the street as he closed the business for good.
“On Sunday 30th August 2026 this window light that’s shone from early morning on Broughshane Street as last 47yrs will go out for good. I will retire that evening and Diamonds newsagents will close for good. I’ve loved this job and wouldn’t change a thing,”
The proprietor began trading in 1979, initially renting the premises, and later purchasing the building in the late 1980s. He has told interviewers that the economic landscape around news retail has changed markedly over the years; as an example, he highlighted the dramatic increase in the price of cigarettes, from about 47p for a packet of 20 when he started to nearer £20 today.
Early starts and a daily ritual
For decades the shop opened well before most businesses, operating from 5.30am every day and closing at 7pm. The early opening made the outlet a familiar stop for commuters and an established point for the day’s newspapers and essentials. The owner also gained a following online by sharing daily front pages each morning and posting regular pre-dawn weather updates.
He has recounted the changing habits of readers and customers: in the 1980s he sold several hundred copies of some newspapers each day, a figure that has fallen with the decline of print circulation. Still, he stressed the loyalty of his customer base, noting that generations have passed through his door.
Speaking in previous interviews, he described the personal connections that sustained the business – customers who first came in as boys and now bring their own children, and delivery staff who moved on to other careers but return when visiting Ballymena.
What the closure means for the town
The loss of the shop will remove a long-standing convenience for early-morning customers and reduce the number of independent retailers on Broughshane Street. While the proprietor cited health reasons when he disclosed plans to sell last year, his retirement will nonetheless prompt questions about the future use of the premises and the wider resilience of traditional newsagents in the town centre.
- Final day: Sunday 30 August 2026
- Trading period: Trading began in 1979; near to 47 years in operation
- Opening hours: 5.30am–7pm, seven days a week
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start year | 1979 |
| Years trading | Almost 47 years |
| Typical opening hours | 5.30am–7pm (daily) |
The proprietor has previously said he regretted having to step back from his regular hours for health reasons and had explored selling the business. He described his time running the shop as a "blast" and said he would not change his career despite the way it is ending.
For many residents, the closure will carry sentimental weight as well as practical consequence: the shop has been part of the fabric of daily life in Ballymena for generations, a small but steady presence through shifting retail patterns.
Local shoppers and former customers are expected to mark the final days of trading with visits and reminiscences as the town prepares to say farewell to a familiar early-morning sight on Broughshane Street.
