John Pye, co-founder of John Pye Auctions, has died at the age of 95. The company, which was founded by John and Ann Pye in 1968 as a partnership, has released a statement praising his life and legacy. According to the company, John Pye & Sons grew from a small business with just a horse and cart into a leading industry player with auction hubs across the country, including in Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham, and Spain. The company will be greatly missed by the Pye family and its colleagues, who describe him as a "local legend" with a larger-than-life character.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-14,
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Story summary
John Pye, co-founder of John Pye Auctions, has passed away at the age of 95. The company announced his death with "great sadness" on Tuesday. Founded by John Pye and his wife Ann Pye in 1968 as Furniture & General Auctions at Nottingham's old Cattle Market site, the business grew into a leading industry company. According to the company statement, John Pye lived a "fantastic life full of laughter and hard work" and had a legacy that will live on forever. He was proud of what John Pye & Sons has become, thanks in part to his colleagues over the years. The company described him as a "local legend" with a larger-than-life character who positively impacted those around him.
Written for “John Pye Auction House Founder Dies” on 2026-08-31,
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- Published
Tributes have been paid to the co-founder of an auction business that grew into an "industry leading company".
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John Pye Auctions said on Tuesday it was with "great sadness" it announced the death of co-founder John Pye at the age of 95.
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The company was founded by John and Ann Pye in 1968 as a partnership named Furniture & General Auctions at Nottingham's old Cattle Market site.
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A statement issued by the firm said "John lived a fantastic life full of laughter and hard work", adding he had a legacy "which will live on forever".
'Local legend'
"He was immensely proud of what John Pye & Sons has become, which is thanks to his determination, vision and every single one of the extended John Pye family - his colleagues over all the years," the statement added.
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"He founded John Pye & Sons in 1968 with just a horse and cart, and lived to see a small business grow into a British industry leading company.
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"Those of you who knew him or met him will know of his larger than life character, and the positive and playful impact he had on those around him.
"
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For the first two decades, the firm specialised in managing probate house clearances, cessation of business asset disposals and private chattels.
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In 1990, the company was incorporated as John Pye & Sons Limited and relocated to larger premises at Banton House in Meadow Lane, near Notts County's stadium, to expand its client base in the East Midlands.
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It later acquired the former Shipstone's Star Brewery site in New Basford in 1995 as the business grew in the 1990s, the company said.
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The company added it first moved from live traditional auctions to 24-hour timed auctions in 2007.
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In addition to the company's head office in Nottingham, it now has auction hubs across the country, including in Derby, Birmingham, Bo'ness and Margam, with a further site in Zaragoza, Spain.
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"On behalf of the Pye family, we would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support at this incredibly sad time.
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"He will be greatly missed by all of us," the statement from the firm added.
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