Our History
The family business began with John Brown who was a linen presser and outfitter in Hull in 1829. He subsequently moved to Leeds where his son, Charles Hood Brown originally followed in his father's trade, but then became a pawnbroker and jeweller - and so the empire began!
In 1840 Charles opened his first 3 branches in Leeds and was then later succeeded by his son Herbert Brown in 1863, who went on to expand the company until 26 branches were in existence. He bred well and eventually the youngest of Herbert's 8 children - also called Herbert, took over the reigns.
He was forced to sell off 21 of the 26 branches to buy out his brothers and sisters.
His son, Herbert Colin Brown joined the company in 1953 and together they opened branches outside the Leeds district and South Yorkshire Area for the first time.
Herbert Colin Brown steadily grew the company and four of his five sons went on to join the business and continued to expand the empire.
Herbert Brown is now part of Albemarle and Bond Holdings plc and forms one of the largest Pawnbroking and Retail Jewellery chains in the UK. The board still includes one of Herbert Colin Brown’s sons and the family values that have served the brand so well over the past are still very much a part of their culture today.
Facts:
Pawnbroking has grown to such an extent that it now worth approximately £100million a year with over 800 pawn shops in Britain alone.
The practice of cheque cashing was non-existent as recently as 1994, but now there are over 1000 outlets in the UK
Unusual Pledges:
- A horse and trap that was stabled at the home of Herbert Brown
- Deeds to an island off the coast of Scotland which, when investigated, had actually sunk into the sea 150 years previously!
- A Victorian bath that had been used by one of the local landed gentry
- Bagpipes and regimental family silver from the 1800s
- A canary with its cage that was looked after by a store manager
