Urban Sightseeing: #5 Money’s Too Tight

Every cloud has a silver lining, but occasionally that lining is gold. Pawnbrokers report a considerable upturn in trade, brought on by the lack of loans being offered by banks, and the continuing strong price of gold. Many of the high street pawnbrokers—such as Cash Converters, who claim that their half-year profits have doubled—are planning to open more shops as their businesses continue to benefit from the UK recession.

So, while the economy is down, raid your jewellery box and pay a visit to your local jeweller or pawnbroker, who might surprise you with a wad of notes and and the information that your gran’s old ring is quite unusual and should attract some interest on the open market. We tracked down the more charming frontages and doorways of some hidden gems.

By Jane. You can see more of Jane’s London photo collections, covering everything from boot scrapers to weather vanes, over at Janeslondon and Jane’s Flickrstream.

• Tweet