Having shared the newspaper headlines each day, Eugene is now making the headlines himself, following his decision to retire.

In a social media post, the popular retailer said that due to ongoing health problems, he had decided to put the business, including the building, up for sale.

“It’s sad to make this decision but since March I have had to step back from working my usual hours.

“I’ve had 45 great years here on Broughshane Street but all things come to an end,” he said.

Following his announcement, a number of tributes were paid to Eugene, thanking and praising him for his 45 years continuous service to the community.

Writer and broadcaster, Stephen Walker said Eugene had “contributed so much to Ballymena society”, adding he had “provided an invaluable service with your newspaper review”.

BBC journalist, Jayne McCormack said she was “devastated” to hear the news, adding his X account was the first thing she checks every morning.

“You’ve always been a bright light on what can be a dark platform…sending you the very best wishes for your future and health,” she said.

Many others also paid tribute to Eugene, commending him for his longevity in business and saying how they will miss his daily X posts sharing the newspaper headlines each morning, as well as upbeat photos and comments about Ballymena and the customers he serves.

Earlier this year, Eugene revealed he had been suffering from ill health and had been in hospital, adding that “seven day weeks over 45 years have taken their toll”.

The post Ballymena newsagent announces closure and sale of business first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Newsagents across the province say they are concerned about the future of printed news and some will consider delisting titles delivered by the wholesaler.

The Fed’s Northern Ireland president Julie Brown, who owns Livingstones Newsagents in Comber said: “We would like to see a review of the charges. They are crippling businesses and leave us with very small profit margins.

“Between Newspread and Menzies we are paying over £150 a week for deliveries, and I don’t know where we go from here.”

Fed member Eugene Diamond, owner of Diamonds, in Ballymena said: “It’s ridiculous. You are being charged for being a successful newsagent. People just can’t afford to pay these carriage charges anymore. It’s going to be a trade where nobody is in it apart from the supermarkets.”

Judith Mercer, of Hamilton News on Cregagh Road, Belfast added: “The template that Newspread uses for carriage charges is criminal. I think this is just one of the final nails in the coffin for some retailers.

“A lot of our members are actually working for below the minimum wage, and it’s not going to be worth their while to sell newspapers.”

One of the main bones of contention for retailers is they must pay two lots of charges to wholesalers Newspread and Menzies.

The Fed’s news and operations director Brian Murphy said: “Like News UK and DTR in England, the Irish wholesalers need to work on a solution that removes the need for dual carriage charges or they run the risk of more retailers exiting the market and both losing out.

“A volume-based template, rather than the current value based one, is clearly needed, as small stores subsiding larger ones is unfair.

“We are very disappointed that, once again, retailers have not been consulted, and this slam dunk approach continues to leave a sour taste.

“Publishers and wholesalers have to accept that retailers have choices, and this remains the only category in-store that operates in such a poor way.”

The post Independent news retailers react angrily to increased carriage charges first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.