Horse shoes from a famous racehorse, jet skis and Roman coins are all things which have graced the counters of a Bexley pawnbrokers. Reporter HELOISE WOOD gets some insights into the store’s inner workings.
"I’ve broken down sometimes when I’ve heard people’s stories and I’m a big man."
The Nikolas Patrick shop manager Charles Devine, 35, is touched by some of the experiences his customers share when they bring things into the store.
The family-run store in Bexleyheath Broadway is home to a range of colourful objects, many of them wrapped in mystery, tragedy or joy.
He says: "We get all types of people coming in.
"We have solicitors coming in to pawn things so they can go to the races and they don’t want their wives to know.
"We also have property developers come in.
"I’ve broken down sometimes when I’ve heard people’s stories and I’m a big man.
"Often their relatives have just died and it's to pay for the funeral.
"One woman came in recently to pawn things to raise money for the birthday party of her brother, who has special needs."
Mr Devine is amazed by the variety of objects which come in.
He said: "We get all sorts of things - including an antique Rolex watch worth £25,000 as well as cars and boats.
"When someone brings something in we keep it for a few days to value it which normally means speaking to specialists.
"Often the price surprises people.
"Customers don’t always realise the value of gold when they bring it in, it can go for several thousands of pounds.
"On the other hand, people bring in their engagement rings after their husbands pass away, which they thought were diamond but turn out to be glass.
"Most people come and reclaim their items because they are often of sentimental value, from dead relatives but they may have pawned it just to pay their mortgage."
Mr Devine is particularly keen for more customers as a the store will be filmed for a TV show in December and January.
He said: "We’d like people to come in, particularly those from Bexley, to come in with their objects.
"We take anything of value - whatever it is."
Bizarre items which have been pawned at the shop
Seaplane
Horse shoes from racehorse star Desert Orchid
Custom built steam engine
Roman coins
Jet skis
Visit nikolaspatrick.co.uk
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