Albemarle & Bond is thriving in the slump

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

That is today's message from Albemarle & Bond, the UK's largest pawnbroker with 114 branches across the country, which says that business is booming.

It is doing a roaring trade as hard-up Brits trade in their valuables for much-needed cash. The firm has also benefited from the soaring price of gold.

Albemarle & Bond said its profits for the year to the end of June "are now expected to be significantly ahead of market expectations" of £15.5 million. It made £14 million last year and analysts were today ticking up forecasts for this year to £17 million or higher.

The news went down well in the City, and shares in the firm, which fell as low as 150p in July last year, were up 221⁄2p to 218p to value it at £124 million.

Chief executive Greville Nicholls said: "The company will deliver a strong trading result for this financial year and looking ahead we will continue to focus on expanding our network of UK stores."