From GalwayNews.ie
- Backward thinking by city government!
A UK chain of pawn shops is actively seeking to open an outlet in the West, more than likely Galway City.
But yesterday one city councillor warned against the opening of such a business in Galway saying it was “the lowest of the low” and shouldn’t be allowed.
Councillor Niall McNelis said he was concerned about the number of people coming through his jeweller’s shop in Quay Street looking to pawn gold jewellery and how it was “a sign of the times.”
“We don’t pawn jewellery, but I am concerned about the lack of regulation in this country on this activity because, to me, it is no better than moneylending. This week I attended my first Joint Policing Committee meeting where Superintendent Tom Curley told us burglaries had increased by 19% in the city. I would be worried that these burglars would be using pawn shops to fence off their goods.
“In the past week, too, I attended a conference on suicide and we heard how the recession was hitting people. It seems to be all big cars and empty fridges and that the middle to upper classes are
being hit, too, by the economic downturn and driven to pawning off their gold.
“I know that a UK based chain of pawn shops are already in Dublin and are actively looking for a West of Ireland outlet, more than likely this city. I would implore City Council planners not to give planning persmission for such shops in this city. They are not retail and shouldn’t be allowed to open up for business here.”
Tags: consumer credit, Galway City, Ireland, Pawn Loans, pawnbroker, pawnshop, UK
