John Pye, the co-founder of the auction house that grew into a leading British company, has died at the age of 95, his firm announced on Tuesday.
John Pye Auctions said in a statement that it was with "great sadness" that it reported the death of John Pye, describing him as a "local legend" who lived "a fantastic life full of laughter and hard work."
The company was established in 1968 by John and Ann Pye as a partnership called 'Furniture & General Auctions' at Nottingham's old Cattle Market site. According to the firm, John Pye started with just a horse and cart and saw the small business evolve into an industry-leading company.
For the first two decades, the firm focused on probate house clearances, cessation of business asset disposals, and private chattels. In 1990, it was incorporated as 'John Pye & Sons Limited' and moved to larger premises at Banton House in Meadow Lane, near Notts County's stadium, to expand its client base in the East Midlands.
The company later acquired the former Shipstone's 'Star' Brewery site in New Basford in 1995 as it grew during the 1990s. It transitioned from live traditional auctions to 24-hour timed auctions in 2007.
Today, the company operates auction hubs across the UK, including in Derby, Birmingham, Bo'ness, and Margam, as well as a site in Zaragoza, Spain.
In its statement, the firm said John Pye was "immensely proud" of what John Pye & Sons has become, attributing its success to his "determination, vision and every single one of the extended John Pye family - his colleagues over all the years."
The statement added: "On behalf of the Pye family, we would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support at this incredibly sad time. He will be greatly missed by all of us."
Source: BBC News
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