Pawn patrol
A SLIGHTLY nauseating but fascinating look at how the other half live, this series delves into 21st century pawn, a world where money knows no borders.
“Are you in the market for a yacht?” asks one broker as this documentary series goes global, following this fast-paced business abroad.
With more millionaires than Monte Carlo, the Costa Del Sol’s sun-drenched coastline is a glitzy paradise.
Also home to a growing number of super-rich Brits, some of Britain’s brokers are heading here in search of rich pickings.
Millions of pounds-worth of treasured possessions are bought, sold and loaned, with assets ranging from 35 carat gemstones to designer watches and handbags, to classic cars, train carriages and even horses.
In the first episode, Sheffieldbased pawnbroker Dan arrives with big plans to expand his business. Along with luxury asset dealer Sean, he meets Aiden, a classic car restorer on the Costa, who wants more than £300,000 for his 1960s Rolls Royce.
For Kathy, Spain’s sunshine coast offers the chance of closing lucrative deals with her family who have moved to the area and work in the gold bullion business.
Her first client is George who wants to sell luxury jewellery to add to his retirement pot.
Millionaire Anthony Barnes opened Marbella’s first pawnbrokers in the 1980s. With sons Harrison and Thomas, he has built an eclectic client base of movie stars and wealthy locals, and a reputation for buying, selling and loaning against almost anything.
They meet expat model Adam, who hopes his prized Rolex might fund a deposit on his dream home.
It’s the ultimate property pawn…