27 November 2023 , 19:00
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A pawnbroker has told how everything from boxing belts to canal barges have been brought to his Birmingham family business where everyone is welcome.
Karl Pountney has two branches of Uncle's The Original Pawnbrokers in Bordesley Green and Aston with the family enterprise running for more than 30 years. He prides himself on being the people's pawnbroker and has been working in shops since he was aged 12.
People from all walks of life have come in dangling their necklaces and Rolex watches, hoping to get a good deal. Karl said: "Within 10 minutes you will walk out with your money. You'll find a lot of different people come from all sorts of nationalities because they need help paying their electricity and fuel bills. All sorts of issues.
"People needing money has a stigma but we try to change that, don't walk in with your head down. Walk in with your head high and ask 'How much for this?'." He has seen some unusual items pawned, including a Lonsdale belt, the oldest championship belt in British professional boxing, and even a canal boat.
Karl prides himself on being the people's pawnbroker (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)Karl shared how he got into the business: "When I was 12 I worked in a jewellery shop on a Saturday and Sunday for £11 per week, the owner was friend of my dad called 'Ray the duck' because he had a stammer. He asked if I wanted to work there but I knew nothing about jewellery, I would get everyone lunch and help out. He would gamble in the back with people and I'd be inside with the assistants.
'I started my business with £50 at uni - now it's a multi-million pound empire'
Karl outside his Bordesley Green shop in 2003 (Birmingham Post and Mail)"The manager, who was a lovely lady, would look at jewellery with her beautiful manicured nails. I never forgot that. It looked professional when she handled jewellery. She taught me about it and I also learned how to set watches which customers would come to me for. I stayed there for three years including working in the summer holidays. The owner also taught me all about business so when I got my O-levels, my dad wanted to start a shop in Aston and we decided to turn it into a pawn shop."
Karl shows a watch that he has at his pawnbroker (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)The family business started from humble beginnings in 1982. and even made it into the local press in 1991 when Karl pawned a Bentley Turbo R estimated at £125,000. Karl and his dad have always been known for their friendly warmth and trustworthiness, with some staff members sticking around for over 30 years, reported BirminghamLive.
As Romanian residents increased in Aston, Karl took it upon himself to learn their language to better communicate with them. The Pountney legacy is set to continue as Karl's son is joining the business, just as Karl's father steps back due to a cancer diagnosis.
Despite dealing with hospital visits and running Uncle's, Karl has no intention of leaving his cherished shop. He shared: "I love what I do so why would I leave? One thing my grandmother taught me is we are all equal. Some people have millions in the bank and some have just £10 but one is not better than the other. We will go out of our way for you."
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