A Swindon department store that served customers and hosted events for more than a century closed in 1998.

On January 14 of that year, the town learned that a much-loved part of Regent Street would be shutting up shop for good.

Shoppers popped in to browse the offers of an everything-must-go sale and say goodbye to the friendly staff who had helped them so much over the years.

As the aisles emptied, there was still time for celebration as store manager Ian Hanks marked his 40th birthday in March.

In May, the iconic local business permanently ceased trading and began preparing for an auction of its remaining assets which was attended by traders and interested buyers from all over the country.

Demolition crews moved onto the site in June and within weeks, the towering building became a flat patch of rubble, removed from Swindon's skyline forever.

Opportunities to purchase pieces of memorabilia from the store occasionally appeared in the years that followed. In 2004, the clock which once adorned the front of the building went up for sale.

Have a look at our gallery of archive photographs and relive the days when McIlroys still thrived. Do you have any fond memories of visits to the store? Let us know!