Prestige Pawnbrokers are the kings of pawning luxurious and costly objects in cash-strapped Britain and are part of a growing number of high-end pawnbrokers focusing on expensive and exclusive objects. This documentary goes behind the scenes at Prestige and discovers that, when it comes to upmarket pawn, everyone has a story to tell. Headed up by slick former property developer James Constantinou, and with a quirky team of asset experts including salt-of-the-earth jewellery expert Lawrence and feisty PA Jo, Prestige is the go-to place for people who want fast cash in well-heeled Surrey, pawning everything from million-pound helicopters to Lambourghinis and £25,000 Hermes handbags. And it's an empire on the move: James is taking big risks investing in a new store in Richmond and has bigger plans too. But will expanding make or break the business?
The hidden world of high-end pawnbroking. The staff at Prestige Pawnbrokers are blown away by two jaw-dropping diamond necklaces, owned by two very different clients.
James has his work cut out sealing a deal with a pushy young entrepreneur who wants to borrow £100,000 against his Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
Reformed 1980s cat burglar Sid hopes to raise funds with help from his family and their jewellery
The series that uncovers the hidden world of high-end pawnbroking continues. Former catwalk model Cathy wants to borrow £50,000 to launch a range of unusual women's lingerie.
A family man approaches Prestige Pawnbrokers with 12 classic cars to raise the money to avoid having his mansion repossessed, but it's another of his possessions that catches James's attention
James' manoeuvring skills are put to the test as he test drives a client's 40-foot American motorhome. A shopaholic hopes to sell two modern art paintings to pursue a new career in photography.
James and the team get excited when an ex-Chelsea footballer player turns up with some expensive Rolex watches, and James is put to the test when he's asked to evaluate a hovercraft used in a James Bond film. An unusual painting of Saddam Hussein causes a stir in the office, and there's a huge surprise for a devoted mum looking to sell some spectacular jewellery to help her son's business venture.
A divorcee from Newcastle wants to pawn her £185k necklace to pay for her children's private school fees. A Swarovski crystal-covered drum kit used on a Kylie Minogue tour gets staff member Patrick excited. A widowed pensioner hopes to make a fortune with her precious rings, and the team scratch their heads when a client turns up with a seven-foot Terminator model.
James mixes business with pleasure as he heads to Spain to meet an entrepreneur friend who's looking to get a £100k loan on his luxury 18-metre yacht. A young widow and mum finds it hard to part with her late husband's vintage Jaguar to set up a new life in Croatia, jewellery expert Monika is shocked when she's asked to deal with a golden rat, and the shop staff struggle to put a price on some rare and problematic black coral statues.
This episode sees a glamorous celebrity hat designer visit the pawnshop, looking to sell her spectacular diamond encrusted ruby necklace to raise funds to open a central London boutique. Paintings done by famous east end gangsters - the Kray twins - cause a big dilemma for the team, and MD James tries out an extreme water jet pack. And as the team get ready for the grand opening of the new flagship store, some fake watches cause a bust-up amongst the staff.
The staff at Prestige find it funny after a life-sized suit of armour and matching horse show up at the new Hatton Garden shop. James becomes stuck without a paddle in London's canals on a barge a businessman is looking to get a loan against.
James is on the verge of striking the biggest deal for the show yet as he heads to Lanzarote to buy a £1.5 million submarine. A jeweller to the stars tries pawning her collection in order to expand.
Can Kristin accurately evaluate a piece of jade that could be worth over £300,000? And Weybridge manager Jamo sells a 1930s classic car under the watchful eye of boss and car expert James.
A bumper-car collector looking for a loan visits the shop offering an impromptu test drive in the city. Patrick is star-struck when he deals with a bass guitarist who used to play with Eric Clapton.
James travels to Palma to take a look at a stunning £150,000 yacht. Lawrence values a guitar signed by Oasis. A spectacular diamond bracelet offers new branch manager Alicja the chance to work with an international client.
A retired couple decide to sell their huge back garden railway. A mother and son want to get a loan against a 71-carat tanzanite ring that they bought from a home shopping channel.
A girl wants to see her grandfather's designer watch so that she and her boyfriend can invest in their fledgling jewellery business. History expert Lawrence is pleased to discover a 1960s autographed racing programme.
A glamorous Ibiza club DJ wants to sell her designer goods to finance her push to go global. And can James recoup his losses on an unredeemed Aston Martin when it goes to auction?
James visits Lanzarote and a wine collection that may be worth a million Euros. Meanwhile, an aspiring 23-year-old gastro pub owner wants to secure a loan against a £250,000 Bentley.
A Soho legend wants to sell vintage Chanel bags in order to finance more botox and a new bathroom. James takes Jo for a test drive in a client's Porsche.
James heads to Ibiza to value a speedboat that is believed to be worth £100,000. Claudia is confronted with a rare purse from years ago that she has never valued before.
James tries to cut a deal on a modified sports car. Claudia travels to Germany to value a large collection of bags from a New York socialite. A gold fanatic has a case of vintage wine for the staff to valuate.
James hopes to sell a World War II Tiger Moth biplane for £70,000. A lord and lady are after big money for luxury handbags and a guitar signed by all of the Rolling Stones.
High-end pawnshop boss James test drives a homemade electric bike, while the Prestige Pawnbrokers team are put to the test when a £30,000 diamond ring arrives with the wrong paperwork. Meanwhile, a bespoke DJ van comes to HQ with a large price tag, and a bishop wants to sell a Salvador Dali sculpture to fund his children's charity in Kenya.
James has two days to turn around a £100,000 loan on a sapphire and diamond ring, while a former fashionista approaches Claudia about her designer handbag collection. A yoga devotee wants a loan on items from her past so she can invest in the future, and James has to make a snap decision on an Italian classic scooter. Last in the series.
James takes an extremely rare Porsche for a spin. A member of the team drops a bombshell. Can two handbags fund a mansion for a hairless cat? Plus a life-size David Beckham statue.
Can the owner of a historic boat raise £750,000 to make his dream of becoming a well-known children's author come true? And James visits his new Manchester branch for the first time.
In this new episode of the series that goes behind the scenes of the hidden world of high-end pawnbroking, Prestige Pawnbrokers boss James turns heads for all the wrong reasons in Marbella when he gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari California whose owner wants ú100,000. Designer handbag expert Claudia evaluates a former The Price Is Right model's extensive bag collection, while memorabilia expert Lawrence has to find a buyer for 14 pieces of boxing memorabilia; can James resist getting involved when he's over 3000 miles away?
The new run of the series that goes behind the scenes of the hidden world of high-end pawnbroking continues. James gets an enquiry about a passenger jet simulator but will he give a loan of ú150,000 after he's taken to the skies? A Pilates instructor hopes her designer handbag collection will fund a trip of a lifetime; a stunning diamond and sapphire necklace is brought in to pay for the launch of a new skincare product; and James shows his softer side when a client is in danger of losing his beloved silver collection.
James swaps his usual fast cars for something smaller, with memorabilia expert Lawrence. Plus: a handbag that belonged to Sharon Osbourne, and stunning diamond and sapphire jewellery.
James takes a ride around London in an eye-catching supercar, with an aspiring fitness guru who's looking for £80,000. With her eyes on a round-the-world cruise costing £30,000, an adventurous retiree wants to sell a collection of handbags and jewellery. A car enthusiast contacts memorabilia expert Lawrence about a helmet that once belonged to land speed record-breaker Donald Campbell, and James faces a dilemma when he gets an offer for one of his favourite impulse buys.
James enjoys a tipple from an unusual £75,000 fire engine bar, memorabilia expert Lawrence is presented with an autograph collection that could be worth £20,000, and a former model wants to sell some designer bags to the high-end pawnbrokers to finance the renovation of her house and her body.
A military enthusiast hopes to sell an army tank for £30,000. A man about town wants to upgrade his Hermes Birkin bag. And James is presented with a Sultan's sword.
James heads to Marbella to appraise a 75-foot yacht worth £250,000, and an aspiring restaurateur wants to raise £80,000 by selling his Ferrari Spyder
James Constantinou reluctantly takes to the skies above the Isle of Wight in a plane with folding wings. Ex-Big Brother housemate Chelsea Singh wants to borrow £50,000 against his beloved Bentley, while a former agent to the stars brings in a piece of entertainment history.
At Silverstone, James Constantinou test drives a high-performance motorbike on sale for £35,000. Designer handbag expert Claudia Valentin meets `human Ken doll' Rodrigo Alves who is selling his designer luggage and watches so that he can learn to drive. Plus, memorabilia expert Lawrence Pickett appraises a guitar owned by Alvin Stardust's widow signed by members of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
James Constantinou gets stopped in his tracks test driving a £30,000 Radical racing car, memorabilia expert Lawrence Pickett deals with an intriguing enquiry about a piece of pop art, while handbag expert Claudia Valentin is moved to tears by a client with an emotional story. James also values a tiara belonging to a martial arts fan, which could be worth £40,000. Last in the series.
The series that goes behind the scenes in the world of high-end pawnbroking returns with new episodes. Prestige Pawnbrokers boss James gets his petrolhead fix with an E-Type Jaguar worth over ú100,000, and puts memorabilia expert Lawrence's car knowledge to the test. Designer handbag expert Claudia is presented with an extravagant impulse buy and Lawrence horses around in Hertfordshire, where he appraises some unusual artwork.
High-end pawnbroker James meets 1980s pop star Leee John who has a selection of jewellery that he hopes is worth ú40,000. Handbag expert Claudia visits the Manchester store to appraise some designer bags; and James goes back to the 1960s while test driving an Austin A35 van.
James shocks the team when he offers valuations for free at a charity auction. Caprice sells a dress. A French mum learns about a necklace she wants to sell. The staff get ready for their Christmas party.
Can superbike legend Carl Fogarty get Prestige Pawbrokers boss James into the Christmas spirit? Plus: a former Miss England wants to trade in her diamonds for a new life.
In this Christmas special episode of the series that goes behind the scenes of the hidden world of high-end pawnbroking, James takes his team for an ice-breaking Christmas excursion with jewellery expert Ian. A luxury yacht moored in London's most exclusive location comes up for sale for ú200,000. And Lawrence and James are put through their paces by Britain's most successful female gymnast, Beth Tweddle, who wants to sell her Olympic leotards to raise money for a good cause.
