'Priority must be to support other businesses'

Alderman Jack McKee told the Larne Times that it was the duty of all local public representatives to “pull together” for the good of the town after the shock closure of Costcutter this week.

He added: “I was very surprised at how quickly the closure of Costcutter came about. I had been in the shop on the day before it closed and there was no inkling that it was coming.

“As a regular shopper there, I am deeply sorry to see it go. It had a good variety of products at reasonable prices and the staff were kind and helpful, which meant a lot to me. The shop will certainly be missed.”

But the TUV man said it would be “counter-productive” to focus on who was to blame for the closure of the Point Street store, adding that the main priority must be to support other small town centre businesses.

“The town centre is the heart of Larne – without it the town will die,” he added.

“I am on the town’s masterplan committee and will be doing what I can to help prevent this from happening to other shops.”