Complex sentence: Howard Smith sold the building in 1969 to Paterson Reid & Bruce Ltd. In 1979 the building was sold again and its ground floor interior was altered to accommodate three shops, and it is understood the name was changed to Agora House at this time.
Split into simpler sentences: Howard Smith sold the building in 1969 to Paterson Reid & Bruce Ltd, and in 1979 the present owners acquired the building. The ground floor interior was altered to accommodate three shops, and it is understood the name was changed to Agora House at this time.