Albemarle & Bond plans to continue growth by opening new pawnbroking outlets but it will slow expansion to between three and five branches a year.
The company has doubled in size over the past four years to 51 shops. It will open two new outlets in the next six months.
Another company, BrightHouse, previously known as Crazy George, plans to open another 10 outlets this year to take it to 110.
Datamonitor says there are at least 1,100 pawnshops in the UK but it suggests the number will fall when the impact of money-laundering regulations is felt.
References: Financial Times 18/02/03 page 24, The Times 18/02/03 page 26, The Daily Telegraph 18/02/03 page 29 (Questor), page 30, The Independent 18/02/03 page 21 (Investment)
