0:00:02 > 0:00:03Unemployment is at a 17-year high.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Wages are frozen and businesses are suffering.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12I found a sign stating that the liquidators were moving in, and that was it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Everybody was unemployed then.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17More and more people survive by selling their precious belongings.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20I think in this climate you have to think on your feet.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Whatever you can do to raise your funds, you're going to have to do.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28For six months, our cameras have followed the world of pawnbrokers, and the people who use them.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31For some, pawnbrokers appear to be the only option.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35I tried everything - the banks, the government. No help, no help.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36That's you sorted, then.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39But many then struggle to meet their high charges.
0:00:39 > 0:00:45It's just all the hassle and everything you have to go through.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Welcome to Cash Britain.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54After a lifetime of working for other people,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Paul has decided to go it alone
0:00:56 > 0:00:59and follow his dream of opening his own barber shop.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04It's something that I've been trying to do for a long time.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I've always loved barbering, and I just want to be my own boss.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11But as Paul is launching in the toughest of times,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14he's had to plough all his savings into the business.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Push the bulb up first...
0:01:15 > 0:01:18This shop here, when it came available,
0:01:18 > 0:01:20the deposit was, like, a lot of money.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Straight away, they wanted £2,000, to just get the key.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26That's where, basically, all my money went.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29The spending hasn't stopped there.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33I must have spent in the region of about £4,000.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Just to get to where I am now.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Paul's planning to open in a week,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45but the shop's half finished and he's run out of money.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- Hello, mate, you all right? - Not too bad, not too bad.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56What can you do for me today?
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Yeah, no trouble. Let's have a look.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01That's a nice piece, isn't it?
0:02:01 > 0:02:04The bracelet cost Paul £3,000,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07but a pawnbroker would never lend that much.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12I'm trying to set up a business, but I've run into a bit of difficulty.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13You are the last alternative.
0:02:13 > 0:02:20I tried everything, man. I went to the banks, I went to the government. No help, no help.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Have you got a figure you're after?
0:02:22 > 0:02:24I'm looking for about nine, to be honest.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I could probably get it up to about a grand, if you wanted it.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- Yeah, that would be... - That would do it.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- That's his favourite piece, I know he's coming back for it.- Yeah.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I can't explain how valuable this bracelet is to me.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40It's not even the cost, it's the sentiment, you know what I'm saying?
0:02:40 > 0:02:42I've been in the music business previously.
0:02:42 > 0:02:48I was doing gigs with Shabba Ranks and Beanie Man. I've been in the game a long time.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Eventually, I went to America on a tour,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56and I bought this in Brooklyn, New York.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59It's fully, fully custom made.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I'm the only one who's got that bracelet.
0:03:02 > 0:03:08I'm not intending to lose it, so whatever it takes to get it back, I'll get it back.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10It'll be £1,511 over the full six months.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- 85 quid a month it'll go up.- OK.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Well, I wish you the best of luck. - I can't wait, man.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- See you when you're rich then. - Thanks very much.- Take care.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29I probably could have done a little bit more if he needed it, but he only wanted £1,000.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32You'd certainly know you'd got it on your wrist, wouldn't you?
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Paul may have his grand, but with opening day fast approaching,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40will it be enough to get the barber shop ready?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46For more than 30 years, this family firm
0:03:46 > 0:03:51have been helping Birmingham businesses who've drawn a blank at the bank.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53What do you do on a Friday
0:03:53 > 0:03:56when you need £1,000 to pay those people's wages?
0:03:56 > 0:03:58You come in, you prove that it's yours,
0:03:58 > 0:03:59you're out that door in ten minutes.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Gerry's sons run the pawnbroker's day-to-day.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08It's a Stradivarius and if it's real, we've won the Lottery.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13My name's Bond, James Bond.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20But Gerry is definitely the boss.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- Dad, it's crap. - No, they're not. All right?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Doesn't matter to you, does it? You didn't pay for them.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Pawnbrokers don't just help new businesses.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39They're sometimes the last hope for those in trouble.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45Five years ago, one hard-up businessman turned to the family for a six-grand loan.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51This was a pawn my father did. It's the contents out of a gym.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Photographs - boxers - statues, that kind of stuff.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59I think he actually knew the guy who actually wanted to raise the money on it.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Here you are, Muhammad Ali.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03God bless him.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06He spent a lot of money building it into a first-class gym.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11And then I think he got some delayed payments.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14And he needed a bit of lending short-term,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17which eventually ended up being long-term.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21And unfortunately for him, his business went into liquidation,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and his gymnasium was sold.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25It's sad, really.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32When the gym went under, the family became the unwelcome owners of the boxing memorabilia.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38To lend money out, pawnbrokers need it coming in,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41so now Karl and Gez hope to get their money back.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47What's that?
0:05:47 > 0:05:50That looks like Muhammad Ali's signature to me.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56Dad knew what an avid collector he was, and he would at times buy expensive items.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01So, it was a judgement call, really, and knowing my dad, he's always come off pretty good.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04I suppose I have lent more on these than I normally would,
0:06:04 > 0:06:10but I was pretty sure, because it was his collection, that he would have come back for them.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16But he didn't. And now the boys just want to see the back of it.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Our endgame now is to see what kind of money this is worth.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26Let's just hope and pray we can get above the £6,000 that we loaned.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Birmingham has some of the highest rates of unemployment in the UK.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Something this regular customer, James, is all too familiar with.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- You all right, mate? - Hello, mate, you all right?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44James survives on a tight benefits budget,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and a broken leg hasn't helped.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54Right, that one's gold - about 40 quid on that one.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56That one's silver, isn't it, that one?
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Right, let's have a look.
0:07:00 > 0:07:06That one only weighs up to about a tenner, that one, believe it or not. I'll put the two together for £50.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07Yeah, that'll be fine.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10There you are, my man. Fifty quid.
0:07:10 > 0:07:16I thought it would probably be less than I was offered. Some of it will go towards taxis, buses.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Usually I walk everywhere, but at the moment, because I'm on crutches,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I'll have to rely on public transport and taxis.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27To get my Social, I've got to get three buses.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30It's £4 for a Day Saver now.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33A lot of people we deal with are unemployed, unfortunately.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Where do they go? They can't go to the bank or building society.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41And if they could, they certainly couldn't get it in five, ten minutes.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Then they're out of the door and away.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58£12.25 - that should last well into next week.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03£9.29 on the electric.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05That should be all right.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Where the electric's concerned, I'm like, "If it doesn't need to be on,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11"it's switched off, or unplugged."
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Even at night time, if I'm sitting watching the TV,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I don't have any lights on, just the light from the telly.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20You know, that does me.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22James used to work in a foundry,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26but the day he left is still fresh in his mind.
0:08:29 > 0:08:36I walked into work on Friday morning, and found a sign stating that the liquidators were moving in.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38That was it.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Everybody was unemployed then.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46So... It's been about ten years since I worked last.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50My trade is... It's gone.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54There's no real foundries left any more.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56All he has is the dole.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03£135 a fortnight.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Sometimes, you know, I just can't make the money stretch.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12You know, I could be sitting with 40 pence in my pocket, and the gas will go.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16That's why I wound up at Uncle's.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20It's one of them situations - you've got to do what you've got to do.
0:09:29 > 0:09:3412 years ago, Martin and Patricia realised their ambition to buy their council house.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Since then, they've spent a fortune creating their ideal home.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Originally, the mortgage was just £21,000,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45then we had the extension on the side,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49the extension on the back, the windows done again.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51It's gone up now to £73,000.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- But because I was working, that was no problem, was it?- No.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57But two years ago, everything changed.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02While I was off on a two-week holiday, the one year,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05there was some irregularity with the cash.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08And because I was the depot manager, even though I wasn't there,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11they said it was my responsibility.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14So I've been out of work since then.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Despite a tribunal ruling that Martin was unfairly dismissed,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20he's struggled to find work.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23I've lost count the amount of jobs I've applied for.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26It's got to be hundreds, and half of them you don't hear anything.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30The trouble is, they always say, "How did you lose your last job?"
0:10:30 > 0:10:33What do you put on the CV, unfair dismissal? "Why?"
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Even though it wasn't my fault, it just doesn't look good.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39With only Patricia's state pension to survive on,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43the couple are finding it hard to keep up with the mortgage.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49The payments should be... £432 a month,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and we're paying around about £100 a month.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55So obviously, the difference is piling up.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58You put the kettle on, then.
0:10:58 > 0:11:04When you've got a mortgage, you're thinking, "They've got to have some money,"
0:11:04 > 0:11:07so I said to him, "We'll have to pawn the gold."
0:11:07 > 0:11:13Six months ago, to save the house, Martin and Patricia parted with something very special.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It means a lot, because...
0:11:16 > 0:11:20it's all what the kids bought me.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23It's all your bangles and little bracelets...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Most of them from Rachel.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28Mm.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35They were the only things I've got a memory of her, really.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Their daughter, Rachel, died of cancer four years ago.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44You never think you'll lose your babies.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I'd rather they'd have taken me instead of her.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52She had more life ahead of her, didn't she?
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Only a baby.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03Hello, are you all right?
0:12:03 > 0:12:07How are we, are we all right, or are you still battling?
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Still battling against the world?
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Yeah, you've got to, haven't you? - These things are sent to try us.
0:12:13 > 0:12:19Today, the couple's £150 loan is up, and they don't have the money to pay it.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- I don't really want to get rid of my gold - all my kids bought me them.- Yeah.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Just to renew the loan will cost them £95.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32But an increase on the value of gold has given them another option.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34They can now borrow an extra fifty quid,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and use that money to pay off some of today's interest.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- You owe us £150 on there.- Yeah. - We'll put that up to £200.
0:12:43 > 0:12:50It'll still be in here, and it means you'll have another fifty quid there. You can have fifty quid back.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Should we do that? Yeah?
0:12:52 > 0:12:53But the deal comes at a price.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57They're stuck with a bigger loan, and a higher rate of interest.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01In the long run, you're paying more, but...
0:13:01 > 0:13:08it meant in the short term, we had to pay just £45 to keep it in for another six months, instead of £95.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13But obviously, in six months' time, when it's due to come out again, it'll be more.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15That's you sorted. Hopefully you'll get the other stuff sorted out.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19She was struggling a bit, so we've upped the loan a bit for her,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21which covers the interest.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25I don't really like doing it that way because it's a short-term fix, really.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29In the long run, it's a bigger loan, so she's paying more interest on it.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I wouldn't recommend it for everyone to do it that way,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35but sometimes, if you haven't got the money, what can you do?
0:13:35 > 0:13:39If you could wave a magic wand and say, "You haven't got to pay any more," you would.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43I think we'd be looking for a new job if we did that.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48Their jewellery may be safe for now, but with little income, their house is still at risk.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55# I need the dollar, dollar
0:13:55 > 0:13:58# Dollar that's what I need Hey-hey... #
0:13:58 > 0:14:02# I need the dollar, dollar... #
0:14:02 > 0:14:07Paul has spent his £1,000, but he's still missing one vital element.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08His barber chair.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Hello, mate, you all right? - So, we meet again.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15How's it going, then?
0:14:15 > 0:14:18I've run into a bit of a...
0:14:18 > 0:14:19A bit of an impasse?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22The last time I came here, they gave me, like...
0:14:22 > 0:14:26£1,000, which I thought that would be enough.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30But things in this day and age are so expensive, you know?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's actually been spent off.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34So, I had to come back.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Let's have a look. How much are you trying to get to?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Two. That's all I need.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Er, right, those are 14.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45This was my last option, you know what I mean?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47I'm losing, like, a hundred quid every day.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Most of what I'm doing - the interior and the decorating - has actually been done.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55This is just to go towards my chairs. They're so expensive.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59He has to dig deeper into his American treasure trove.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04The rings were custom made to go with the bracelet,
0:15:04 > 0:15:05so it's like a set.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07A lot of diamonds, as well, so...
0:15:07 > 0:15:10they're very, very sentimental to me,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14so whatever it takes, I need to get my jewellery back.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15There you are.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Next time you come, you'll be getting it all out again. Good luck, anyway.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- Thanks again, boss. - See you later, mate. Bye.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26This is the moment I've been waiting for for the past however many weeks.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31It is so wonderful - my barber chair has landed!
0:15:33 > 0:15:38Look at that! I was 95% there, but now I'm 100%.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43All I need now is my first customer, so I can start making some money.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49It's a lot of money, but... it's worth it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54You want to be doing a good job - your customer's really happy, you know?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57He'll soon find out - it's opening day tomorrow.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04We're up to our limit on what we can lend him, so hopefully he can get the shop open.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08He's on his own if he needs anything after that - we can only go so far.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10It's down to him to make it work.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18The brothers need to clear a six-grand debt on a collection of boxing paraphernalia,
0:16:18 > 0:16:24- and Gez has a plan.- This memorabilia show that's on at the NEC,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26it's got thousands of customers coming through there.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Like I say, I've got to get the best price I can for these items.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It would be a good place to try and sell some of this stuff.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39They've called in boxing expert, Robert, to take a look and see if they're sitting on a fortune.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Hello.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- Are you Robert? I'm Gez, I spoke to you on the phone. How are you doing? - Good, thanks.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Boxing memorabilia is very collectible.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48People will pay crazy money for the right things.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52OK, let's start - if I pass them to you...
0:16:52 > 0:16:55That's a magazine picture, he's just had it framed up.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Very nice, but the integral value's next to nothing, I'm afraid.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Two pounds, three pounds?- Tops.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- What do you think?- A few pounds.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- What?! A few pounds, for that? - Yeah, it's nothing.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Oh, God, yeah. Probably £10 a piece.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It's not going too good.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14The values are crap!
0:17:14 > 0:17:18You can see he's thinking, "What have I come here for?"
0:17:18 > 0:17:22The lads are saying, "It's there, get rid of it,"
0:17:22 > 0:17:25but I've resisted the temptation to get rid of them,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27hoping that he would come back for them.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32But when it's put to you on a business footing,
0:17:32 > 0:17:38you have to evaluate what you'll get back and what you don't get back.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Have a look at these ones, here.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Something a bit more collectible, I think.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44These were cigarette cards -
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Franklin Davy & Co, Bristol. Auction value, £30-£40.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- For the whole lot? - You didn't think each, did you?
0:17:50 > 0:17:51I was hoping!
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Come on then, let's see some decent stuff.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56It's not looking good.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59What about that one?
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- That's Muhammad Ali and Cassius Clay.- Nice.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- I'd try that, first time round, at £300 - £400.- Wow!
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Henry Cooper.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Well, it makes a pleasant change,
0:18:12 > 0:18:17because quite often you see boxing gloves, and it's one boxing glove.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Value for the pair, probably about £100. Nice.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- I like it.- You like it?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Yeah.- I'm getting really excited now.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29It's the best item I've seen so far. You should be a bit happier now,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32than you were before we came in this room.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee...
0:18:33 > 0:18:40It was a very mixed bag. There was a lot of stuff that's not going to fetch them money.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44There's stuff that looks good because it's in a nice frame, but it's of no value.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Then there are other items which will make a few quid.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Time to break the news to Daddy -
0:18:49 > 0:18:51that he lent six grand
0:18:51 > 0:18:54on a collection probably worth six hundred.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59There's a lot of stuff here that's not worth a lot of money.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03I mean, the likes of that, there - it's a picture, in a frame.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05He says it's worth nothing.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- Dad, it's crap.- I like it, myself, to tell you the truth.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10It might seem crap to you, but it doesn't to me.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15If someone wants to buy these for between £5 and £10, they've gone.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- If someone gives £3.50, they've gone.- No they're not, all right?
0:19:20 > 0:19:24It doesn't matter to you, does it? You haven't paid for them.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- How good's your expert? - He's a memorabilia auctioneer - that's all he does.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33It does upset me a bit, Karl, about selling them when the bloke wanted to keep them.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35I've kept them for five years.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38These lads only see it in cardboard boxes.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43They don't see it as I remember it, which was a wall full of history.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49It was fabulous, and that's why, besides the personal thing with the fella...
0:19:49 > 0:19:53I'm not sentimental, but to me, it's got glory.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Whatever their dad thinks, Karl and Gez just want to get rid.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01All I want to do is get the money back.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Listen, Dad, we won't be giving them away.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13When Martin lost his job three years ago, he and wife, Patricia, hit problems.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19To pay the mortgage, they had to pawn gifts from their late daughter, Rachel.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Now, they stand to lose more than their jewellery.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27The bank has lost patience, and wants to repossess the house.
0:20:27 > 0:20:34You get so stressed, because we just don't know what's going to happen the next day.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38It's just... You know...
0:20:38 > 0:20:44It's just all the hassle and everything you have to go through.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I just can't cope.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51I've just had enough. Don't want to know any more.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56They've tried everything to save their home,
0:20:56 > 0:21:01but now they've made the tough decision to put the house up for sale.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Are we still up in there? Oh yeah.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07It's got to go - we haven't got much choice in the matter, really.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09We've got to go and just start again.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14When you look at it through a window, and you think to yourself,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18"God, all what you've put in the house,"
0:21:18 > 0:21:21and you're not going to keep it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25And now, they're looking at rented property.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- Hi, guys.- Hello, we're looking for some details
0:21:27 > 0:21:30on some houses you've got to rent in the window.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34If you're looking for just three bedrooms, that one's actually just reduced...
0:21:34 > 0:21:39In the situation I was in again, if I was in full time work, no way would I have another mortgage.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43It's stupid, because you try to buy a house to better yourself,
0:21:43 > 0:21:48and then you lose your job and the mortgage puts you under pressure to sell it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55The couple's hopes rest on selling their house and clearing their debts before the bank gets it.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Hopefully, if all things work out,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01the big plan is, if we sell the house...
0:22:01 > 0:22:06then we'll take the hold out, and hopefully, that'll be it.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09The mortgage is sorted - that's that debt, gone.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It's 8am on the morning of the memorabilia show,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and it's not the best of starts.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Just open the door so I can go to the toilet quickly.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We're 25 minutes late, the show starts in an hour,
0:22:42 > 0:22:47and he wants to mess about going to the toilet. He should have held it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Turn it off, Gez, come on.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57Load them in.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59The lads are cutting it fine.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00The doors open at any minute.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04And while Karl does the heavy work, there's no sign of Gez.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08I need him to give me a hand.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11He's not helping, is he?
0:23:11 > 0:23:14I've been setting up the table. I've been setting up.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Right, let's have a little look. Where's he gone?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Oh, there he is.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23PA: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Memorabilia 2011 is now open.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Memorabilia is now open.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33To make any money, they need to be fighting fit.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38But so far, they seem to be losing on points.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43"Rocky Marciano, Jersey Joe Walcott..."
0:23:43 > 0:23:46OK, Rocky Marciano, what's he look like?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Luckily, there are some boxing fans on hand to show what's what.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50The red...
0:23:50 > 0:23:52That's a Rocky, there.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55That one, straight in front... No, the other one.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56In front, yep.
0:23:56 > 0:24:02The stall is just haphazard. They haven't got a clue where anything is.
0:24:02 > 0:24:03Who's that one?
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Gerald, what was the double there?
0:24:05 > 0:24:10It's quite funny to see two guys who are hoping to make money
0:24:10 > 0:24:14asking customers who's who - "Who's this? Who's that?"
0:24:14 > 0:24:18I tell you what, Gez, some people have got some fantastic knowledge.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Paul is hoping for a bit more success.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25The barber shop is finally ready for business.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Today is opening day.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Absolute opening day, and I am buzzing!
0:24:32 > 0:24:34I can't wait for it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43Good morning.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Finally, finally, finally, this is the moment.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51All he needs now are customers.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Come on, 300 people to get my jewellery back.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Welcome to the recession barber shop.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00I'm putting people first, not finance.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Yo, P! Look at this, I need some surgery on this, man.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Thousands of pounds and months of hard work are finally paying off.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15OK, son, I'm going to try and make you handsome again!
0:25:15 > 0:25:17They say good things come to those who wait.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Hello, good morning. Have a seat, yeah.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I'm getting there.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35You know what I'm saying?
0:25:35 > 0:25:36It's really good.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Thank you for my first... That's my first customer.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44You know what, the worst thing about this - he's asking for change!
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- LAUGHTER - Can you believe that?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49See you later, see you.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Eventually, it's open.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56I thought this morning I'd come and get an early trim,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00start the day early and get off and do what I'm doing today,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02so yeah, I'm really, really pleased for him.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06And things are finally picking up at the memorabilia fair.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11The boys may know nothing about boxing, but they do know all about selling.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- What if I did the two at £200? - Yeah, OK.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20Gerald, that and the Ali - £200 I've done it for.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- What were they, five quid a pop? - Yeah, I'll take all three.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- How much?- Six quid.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- There you are.- Good man.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31£100, that's great. Thank you. Have a good day.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33It's all good.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38PA: The show will close in five minutes.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Trading over, it's time to cash up.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45We didn't do too bad, Karl.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50We've done about £750, so I think today's been a boster!
0:26:50 > 0:26:52We did all right!
0:26:52 > 0:26:56They might still be five grand down on the pawn,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58but it could have been so much worse.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- IMITATING "ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES": - "We're gonna be millionaires, Rodney."
0:27:05 > 0:27:09And back at the barber's, Paul's in the money as well.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14Really good, really good.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17This is what the dream is.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Not quite 300 customers, but after a busy first day,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Paul is feeling a cut above the rest!
0:27:26 > 0:27:31Without the pawn shop, this shop would have never been possible.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Hopefully in the next couple of months, I can go to the job centre, and say,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38"You know, you didn't help me to set my shop up,
0:27:38 > 0:27:44"but I'm gonna come here and I'm gonna get somebody off the dole to come and work in here.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48"So, you didn't help me, but I'll try to help somebody else."
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Next time, we find out how time really IS money...
0:27:55 > 0:27:59That's instant cash, anywhere in the world.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02..how silver doesn't always mean second place...
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- It's worth £2,000. - That's really nice to know.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10..and a pensioner who's desperate to recover her stolen jewellery.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13It is the worst thing that could happen.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:38 > 0:28:41E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk