Ballymena is nestled in the Glens of Antrim on the banks of the River Braid, providing easy access to some of Northern Ireland’s finest countryside and Belfast, some 24 miles south-east. The town is built on land given to the Adair family by King Charles I in 1626, evolving into a small market town and becoming a major player in the linen industry in the 19th century. Known locally as the ‘City of Seven Towers’ due to its distinctive historic buildings, of which only three still exist, Ballymena maintains its strong farming, agricultural and textile roots. Central Ballymena is characterised by traditional terraced housing and two impressive shopping centres, as well as the expansive People’s Park, near the centre.
Independent practice BH Mckeague opened in 1946, making it one of the longest established practices in Northern Ireland and the oldest in Ballymena. The centrally located practice, comprising a seven-strong team of three optometrists, one dispensing optician and three receptionists, offers an extensive frame selection.
‘Ray-Bans are our biggest sellers; the luxury Coco Song range is successful and we offer bespoke handmade frames by Savile Row,’ says the practice’s DO Tom Cothier (pictured), adding: ‘We are also one of the few practices to offer Tomato Eyewear for children, a specialist and custom-fit range with interchangeable bridges and arm lengths.’
The practice offers its ‘customers the absolute best quality products within their budget’ using the most up-to-date equipment, including fundus photography.
Contact lenses are ‘always popular’ and there is a demand for specialist eyewear for tasks, such as night driving, for which the practice offers Zeiss DriveSafe. A soon-to-be-launched modernised website will highlight the practice’s children’s and teen frame range. Cothier describes Ballymena as a ‘growing and improving’ town: ‘Everyone seems to know each other here. We are 40 minutes from the coast and there are stunning locations close by, featured in the Game of Thrones TV show.’
John Broderick, optometrist and store manager at Vision Express, says the community spirit is what he really loves about the town. ‘I’ve worked in cities previously and it has felt anonymous, but Ballymena is such a friendly place. Locals have time to have a conversation, which is nice,’ he says. The practice supports a number of community initiatives, including the Northern Ireland Young Artist of the Year Competition, and Broderick says he is ‘proud of the relationships built with schools and charities’.
The multiple opened nine years ago in the Fairhill shopping centre. Broderick says the store’s ‘unrivalled eye health expertise’ sets it apart. ‘I’m one of the small number of professionals in Northern Ireland with an enhanced qualification for screening glaucoma,’ he says. Ted Baker is one of the store’s popular brands and Broderick adds there is great interest in the Vision Express Exclusive Brands, which start at £39.
Who’s in town
Total: 9
Independents: 6
Multiples: 3
Average costs
Prices of an eye examination range from £20 to £32. The average cost is £25.77
Population
Community eye care
Eye services in Ballymena are provided by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. The borough does not have any local contracts outside general ophthalmic services.
Health and affluence
- The average property price in Ballymena is £121,009 (Zoopla, 2017) compared with the UK average of £226,185 (Land Registry, 2017).
- NHS expenditure on vision problems in Mid and East Antrim per person is £89 the same as the UK average. (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool 2015)
- 890 Patients live in Mid and East Antrim with late stage wet AMD and 440 live with dry AMD (RNIB).
- There are about 1,380 people living in Mid and East Antrim who have cataract, 1,140 people with glaucoma and 8,790 with diabetes. Some 2,700 patients have diabetic retinopathy (RNIB).
Fun facts
Hollywood actor Liam Neeson was born and raised in Ballymena. The star was awarded ‘Freedom of the Borough’ in 2013.
Overlooking the entire Ballymena borough is the 1,500ft high Slemish Mountain, core of an extinct volcano, and the first Irish home of Saint Patrick.
Scenes from the hit TV show Game of Thrones have been filmed in County Antrim including Ballintoy Harbour, Murlough Bay and Dark Hedges.