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Pawnbroker sees profits boom
Pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond raised it interim dividend on the back of a higher first-half profit, as more hard-up Britons pawned or sold gold jewellery for cash. First-half profit before tax rose 12 per cent to £12.1m and the company’s pledge book was up seven per cent to £38.3m. The firm, which also offers cheque cashing, small instalment and payday loans, said it was on track to open 25 new stores in the full year.