Castle Street, Lisburn, c.1993 (ILC&LM Collection). Note Montgomery’s shops on the left.
Montgomery’s of Castle Street – chippy, sweet shop, and ice cream parlour – was an ‘institution’ of Lisburn, being in business for over 70 years. This family business was established by Charles Montgomery (d.1941). A native of Lisburn, Charles served in the First World War and was severely wounded at the Battle of Loos in 1915. As a result of his injuries, he returned to Lisburn and for the rest of his life, he was committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen, being a founder member of the Lisburn Branch of the Royal British Legion. In 1919, he married Selena Topping who came from Wallace Place in Lisburn.
Around 1921, Charles opened a tobacconist and confectioner’s shop on Castle Street – the original “Montgomery’s”. He was innovative, and added dry cleaning and a portable ice cream tricycle to the business.
Advert from Lisburn Standard, 15 May 1931
After Charles’ death in 1941, the enterprise passed to the Topping family into which he had married and they kept the name “Montgomery’s”. They expanded the business by opening a fish and chip shop around 1950, and an ice cream parlour (famed for its milkshakes and butterscotch sauce) was added ten years later. The premises was also used to host charity cake sales.
In 1997, the Topping family retired from business and Montgomery’s closed. What are your memories of this Lisburn ‘institution’?
Advert from Ulster Star, 23 October 1992