Every year, we’re lucky enough to receive so many letters and cards of thanks from our customers. Reading them makes me feel incredibly proud of what we do. Most of the kind words are about the service people receive, especially from our financial services customers who often come to us in moments when they really need help.
But last month, one customer’s story really stood out — and it touched not only me, but also our staff. She had inherited a watch and was trying to find out its value. After visiting several jewellers in Leeds without getting the help she needed, she spotted our column in the Yorkshire Reporter and decided to give us a try.
When she came into our Seacroft store, Jo, Cheryl, and Lilli took the time to listen, offered her practical solutions, and even gave her the option to have the watch repaired. She was so relieved to finally find people who cared, in a relaxed environment, without the usual “sales pitch.” She told us she felt appreciated.
Since then, she’s become a regular — selling gold, buying jewellery, and having more items repaired. What really stuck with us was her comment: “In a do-it-yourself world, it’s nice to find people who genuinely care. And for someone who isn’t easily pleased, I’ve been very impressed.”
Virginia, if you’re reading this — thank you. Your words mean the world to us.
Why Customer Service Matters
On the high street, service is everything. I truly believe that our reputation for treating people well is what keeps us strong. Last month was another busy one across retail, lending, and gold buying — each customer with their own unique story and reason for visiting us.
• One lady needed £540 to pay her car insurance and borrowed against a gold curb bracelet
• Another borrowed £1,020 to redecorate her living room before selling her house
• A gentleman borrowed £3,900 against a Rolex watch while waiting for an insurance cheque
• And another customer borrowed £5,000 against a beautiful 2ct diamond ring to help with a house purchase
The good news is that most of these items are collected again — in fact, over 80% of our pawnbroking customers redeem their goods. We lend against almost any jewellery and most luxury watches, and the process only takes minutes.
Pawnbroking Loans
With bills still high thanks to inflation and interest rates, it doesn’t make sense to let your gold or diamond jewellery sit in a drawer when it could help ease your cash flow.
Recycling is part of everyday life now, and more and more people are applying the same idea to jewellery. Some customers use their items for short-term loans so they don’t have to part with them. Others choose to sell outright — often using the money for summer holidays, paying bills, or simply treating themselves to something new.
The best part? With pawnbroking, you remain the owner. You can collect your jewellery or watches anytime during the 7-month contract once your loan and interest are repaid.
Summer Bills
While our foreign exchange counters have been hectic with holiday-goers, pawnbroking has also been busier this summer. We usually see a peak in late autumn, but right now it’s mums and dads topping up their reserves for back-to-school expenses and clearing credit card bills from the summer holidays.
We’ve also supported many families preparing for the Asian wedding season. Generous celebrations often involve cash, gold, and jewellery gifts, and many customers borrow against their 21ct and 22ct jewellery to fund those traditions.
Every loan is 100% confidential, and with up to 7 months to repay — plus the option of part payments along the way — customers stay in control. With our interest rates frozen for the past year, our pawnbroking service remains one of the quickest, easiest, and fairest ways to borrow.
Wisdom, Faith & Power
September’s birthstone is the sapphire — a gem that’s long been associated with wisdom, faith, and strength. Ancient people even believed the world rested on a giant sapphire, and its reflection made the sky and sea blue.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to own a beautiful piece of sapphire jewellery. We’ve recently expanded our range of coloured stone pieces, so whether you’re shopping in Christopher Brown Jewellers (Seacroft, York, Pontefract, Goole, Shipley, Stockport, Prescot), Brown and Gold Pawnbrokers (Batley, Toxteth), or our new store Mr Allen Jewellers in Wigan — you’ll find something special.
With Christmas just four months away, now’s the perfect time to start.
Christopher Brown
