John Pye, who co-founded an auction business that became a leading industry operation in Britain, has passed away at 95 years old, the company announced on Tuesday.
John and Ann Pye established the business in 1968 as Furniture & General Auctions, operating from Nottingham’s old Cattle Market site. During its initial decades, the firm focused on managing probate house clearances, business asset disposals, and sales of private items. In 1990, the operation was formally incorporated as John Pye & Sons Limited and relocated to a larger facility at Banton House near Notts County’s stadium to serve a broader client base across the East Midlands region.
The company expanded significantly throughout the 1990s, acquiring the former Shipstone’s Star Brewery site in New Basford in 1995. A major operational shift occurred in 2007 when the business transitioned from traditional live auctions to 24-hour timed auctions. The company now operates from multiple locations, including its Nottingham headquarters alongside auction hubs in Derby, Birmingham, Bo’ness, Margam, and an international site in Zaragoza, Spain.
In a statement, the company characterized its founder as possessing a distinctive personality and described his legacy as enduring. Officials noted that John Pye demonstrated determination and vision throughout his tenure leading the business alongside the broader company family. The firm expressed gratitude for messages of support and indicated he would be remembered by those associated with the organization.
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