Many people know that Saint Nicholas, otherwise known as Father Christmas, is famed for his generosity to the poor and for secretly leaving gifts for people in need. Historians often recount how he saved a poor man’s daughters from being sold as slaves by throwing three bags of gold into their father’s window at night.
However did you know that St. Nicholas is actually the Patron Saint of pawnbroking, and that his three bags of gold have been thought to represent the commonplace symbol of pawn brokers, the three gold balls that hang outside all stores?
People often ask how St. Nicholas became associated with pawn shops. In the early 14th century Franciscan friars gave low-interest loans to poor families so they could buy food. Because St. Nicholas had generously provided help to the man who needed dowries for his daughters, he was recognized for his generosity and concern for the poor and became the Patron Saint of the pawnbroker.
Christmas is a busy time for us as people today are still in need of an instant loan to help fund their Christmas shopping and supermarket bills!
Pawnbrokers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and we try to provide a cost effective solution to the need for instant cash. It’s not just families needing an instant loan either. Many business owners use our service to help pay wages and meet cashflow needs as the winter season kicks in and workers need the cash in their pockets in time for Christmas.
Make your jewellery work for you…
Although we most frequently lend sums around £100, we recently lent a large sum against a 5ct diamond ring valued at over £100,000!
The customer concerned uses the ring to generate cashflow when his business needs it and rather than leave such a large asset sat hidden away in a safe, he makes it work for him and helps his business to grow.
Understandably, not everyone has a large diamond sat in their safe which is why we are happy to consider any items of value, including small electrical items such as smart phones and tablets.
So whether it’s a business loan or just some cash for Christmas, call in and see us as Father Christmas may have a lot on his plate this December!
Chris Brown