Tributes are pouring in from the community of Ballymena, Northern Ireland, as one of its most cherished high street fixtures prepares to close shop.
After spending 45 years at the helm of Diamond’s Newsagents, retailer Eugene Diamond has taken the tough call to sell his business due to ill health, a decision that has stirred deep emotion across the town and beyond.
Speaking to Asian Trader, Diamond confirmed that he has put his store up for sale, marking the end of an era for one of the few remaining traditional newsagents in the region.
"I have developed a health condition and it’s been like a car crash for me since March,” he said. “I have put the shop up for sale at present.”
The news has sparked a flood of heartfelt messages from locals and members of the wider retail community, a response that has deeply moved Diamond.
“The reaction to me selling up has been unbelievable. All the morning papers in Northern Ireland covered it.
Retailer Eugene Diamond Retailer Eugene Diamond
"My own customers, though they are concerned over my health and are supportive of my move, are devastated at me retiring.
"I honestly am humbled by the reaction; I’m only a small newsagent!" he said.
But in Ballymena, Diamond is anything but small
For 45 years, Diamond’s shop on Broughshane Street has been a constant presence, opening its doors every morning at 5:30am, seven days a week.
What began as a vacant unit that he rented in his early 20s, evolved into a beloved institution very soon.
First a confectioner, then a newsagents, the business became a cornerstone of the Co Antrim town, not just a place to buy papers or snacks, but a trusted daily companion.
An early adopter of community-focused retailing, Diamond was given a news ticker by a local paper in 1982.
During the Falklands War, he used it to display live headline updates in his shop window, offering passers-by a glimpse into world events from their local street.
His relationship with news never faded.
Vocal on his opinions on retail crime and other issues in the trade, in recent years, Diamond became known for posting daily images of newspaper front pages and weather updates on social media, building a loyal following well beyond Ballymena.
Diamond Newsagent featured in Asian Trader Nov-2015 issueRetailer Eugene Diamond
Reflecting on the evolution of retail, Diamond told Asian Trader, "“Early days were so different. Newspapers were the main product and sold in hundreds daily. Confectionery and cigarettes were the other big products.
"Fast forward 45 years, drinks of all sorts and lottery products are the big lines that create daily footfall.”
Now, as he prepares to change lanes, Diamond says he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, especially from the community and journalists who have long relied on his steady presence and generous spirit.
“I thank every one of you. It’s been very humbling," he said.
