Job losses and personal debt mean many are turning to Paul Cockell at Regency Pawnbrokers to help tide them over to the end of the month.

When the Courier spoke to Mr Cockell in September 2006 he said trade had quadrupled due to the ease of falling into debt on credit cards and expensive mortgages.

But since the credit crunch, money has been less easy to borrow, and Mr Cockell has seen a change in trade as the banks have become unwilling to lend.

He said: "Early last year was when I knew it was getting worse and worse and it has increased steadily since then.

"It is mainly job losses or redundancies. I have had people who worked at Aston Martin in here.

"The ones who are losing their jobs are selling their jewellery rather than putting money against it.

"The simple fact is they don't know if they can pay it back or not."

The musical instruments once displayed in the shop window are gone and Mr Cockell now deals exclusively in jewellery.

He has bought the premises, which he now shares with clock and watch repairman John Airey.

Many of those who come in with watches, rings and necklaces need money to cover car repairs or bills.

The usual sum Mr Cockell is asked for is £200, but the largest was £2,000.

Some are in worse difficulties and Mr Airey finds customers' problems can make him feel like a therapist.

He said: "Sometimes you find people try to get you involved in their sad story and you have to try to jolly them through.

"You listen to what they have to say but you have to be able to curtail it when you need to."

"It's not the nicest trade to be in," added Mr Cockell.

It is also a business which seems to have strong trends. The value of gold has doubled in the past 12 months, so much so that old watches may be worth more as scrap than sold on, but sales have slowed almost to a standstill.

Mr Cockell said: "Jewellery has always been a luxury item that people don't necessarily need. They don't want to lose it, that's why they pawn it.

"We're making the money from buying in. At the moment we're paying out, but it's a long-term investment."