End of an era for one of Derry’s oldest businesses

One of the oldest businesses in Derry city, situated on its most iconic street, has closed its doors for the last time.

James O’Doherty and Company, valuers, surveyors, property consultants, on Shipquay Street has ceased trading. 

Speaking to The Derry News, current owner, Eoin Doherty, confirmed the business had closed “for a number of reasons” but stressed he was not retiring as he was “a bit young yet”.

Explaining the reasons for the closure, he said: “I was 31 years doing it and I thought that was long enough to be honest.

“There is also a lot of regulation in small businesses, which is strangling small business,” he added.

“I am a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. It is very heavy on regulation, which is a good thing, I suppose, as it makes sure everybody who is in the profession is suitably qualified to be in that profession. But it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater a good bit in that they ask you about an awful lot of regulation before you can even go out to a property.

Eoin Doherty and his father John Doherty in happy times.

“It would almost ask you what you had for your breakfast 15 years ago, when all you want to do is go out and value and sell houses. Then there is HMRC (Revenue and Customs), data protection, money laundering, all that, all to be done before you even open the door of your shop in the morning. And it is getting more and more onerous,” Eoin said.

Revealing he had experienced two fairly recent bereavements, Eoin said this had been another big factor in his decision to close the business.

The Doherty family business journey began in 1971, when Eoin’s father, John Doherty, took the business over from James O’Doherty, who had opened it in 1915  in Newmarket Street, where the Millennium Forum is sited today. 

The business then moved to Pump Street, to a building opposite the Convent of Mercy. 

“At that time it was a rent collection agency,” said Eoin, “and James was a relation of [Derry businessman] Garvan O’Doherty. Garvan’s dad PK Doherty was the executor and dad bought from PK who was winding up James’ affairs. 

“It wasn’t an estate agency when dad bought the business because at that time Catholics didn’t own property really at that stage. Then, with the changes in the 1960s and the 1970s, dad built into an estate agency. 

“I came into the business in 1994, straight from university. I took the business more down the line of valuations, being chartered then, so we became chartered valuation surveyors.

“Dad passed away, unfortunately, three years ago. He and I were business partners in James O’Doherty & Company for 27 years and helped a lot of people get on the property ladder in that time,” said Eoin.

Describing the whole industry as “changing and not necessarily for the better”, Eoin added he did not feel businesses these days were being run with the best interest of the customer at their core but to keep “HMRC and the overlords happy”. 

He added: “I have noticed people seem to be leaving industries, many different industries, earlier and earlier. They are all burnt out. Unfortunately, the people coming behind them aren’t replacing that knowledge. 

Some of the fantastic staff Eoin had the honour of working with over the years. Standing: Eoin and Margarite. Sitting, from left: Siobhan, Mandy, John Doherty and Noleen. 

“Covid didn’t help and I think we all worked so hard, and for such long hours,  and are never offline and that has taken its toll. 

“I loved my job and I would have loved to have kept it going but I lost my wife two years ago and that and losing dad made me reevaluate my life. 

“I was just getting stressed out and when I came back after Louise passed away it just wasn’t the same for me and I want to have a wee look around and do something different. None of us are promised tomorrow and I just don’t need the stress anymore,” said Eoin.

Asked about possible celebrity customers, Eoin remained tight-lipped but smiling before mentioning Premiership footballers. 

“Having said that, the highlight of my job over all these years was helping people to get on the property ladder.

“I loved getting first time buyers on the ladder. I just loved that and giving them a bit of advice and help where I could. That was what it was all about for me, helping people get on the ladder because buying a house is daunting. It is the biggest purchase you make and sometimes you have to be more of a counsellor than an estate agent.

“You tell them it is going to be okay. It is going to be fine. For me, I would have done it for free, just for helping people. That was it,” said Eoin, who was optimistic about Derry’s prospects going forward.

“I am so proud to be a Derry man and to have served the people of Derry for 31 years.”