A well-known estate agency and auctioneer business is to be wound up following the death of its owner in May of this year.

T Patterson Stewart in Omagh will be closed following the passing of well-respected agent and auctioneer, Patterson Stewart, who founded the company in 1967.

Ahead of the permanent closure of the business, the office on the High Street will be open for the month of July on Tuesdays, or otherwise by appointment.

Speaking on the closure of the business, Rene Stewart, Patterson’s wife, described it as “the end of an era”.

“Patterson devoted so much time and energy to the business to make it such a success,” she said. “He founded the business in 1967, originally operating from a premises on George’s Street, Omagh.

“A number of years later we moved to 25 High Street to the office, which we rented from the late Harold and Catherine Wilson.

“In 1971 the opportunity arose to buy the office. We jumped at the chance, as it had proven to be a spacious office that was very central within Omagh. The backyard was also a great addition.

“In 1997, when Harold Wilson passed away, we then got the opportunity to buy the Carlisle Bookshop. This was occupied by the bookshop until around three years ago when the charity shop was set up.”

Rene described her late husband as a businessman of “utmost integrity” who “always did his best for people.”

Rene herself was also a familiar face in the office, having taken care of administration duties full-time when she retired from teaching in 1996.

“I wanted to retire years ago, but Patterson would never hear tell of it!” she added.

“He always did his best for clients, and treated everyone with honesty and integrity. I suppose this was partly why the business was successful over the years.”

The late Patterson Stewart also ran a number of livestock marts over the years, including Newtownstewart and Fintona, and most recently, Fivemiletown, until April of this year, less than a month before his passing.

Rene concluded: “Now that the business is being wound up, you could say that it’s the end of an era.

“We would like to thank all clients who have given their custom and support over the years.”