The Money Shop, the UK's instant cash provider, is proving that pawning isn't just for the cash strapped with the latest addition to its pawn collection - a life-size bronze of the King himself, Elvis Presley. The statue has been pawned by owner Sid Shaw in the year of what would have been the King's 75th birthday. It was delivered to The Money Shop's Edgware Road store today accompanied by singing Elvises. The loan will help Sid free up some much needed cash to finance two exciting rock ballet projects including an Elvis show called The 3 Elvises and global venture Dancicals in collaboration with the Peter Schaufuss Ballet Company. Sid who owns 38 Elvisly Yours registered trademarks in the UK and EC and the rights to Elvis Presley after defeating Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) in the UK high court and court of appeals, turned to The Money Shop after being refused financial help by his bank. He was inspired by similar stories of business people unable to secure finance from traditional lenders and attracted by the ease and convenience of using a pawnbroker.
Andrew Bryan, Marketing Director, The Money Shop, said: "Since the start of the recession there has been a gradual shift in the type of clientele using pawn broking services. Whereas traditionally it was favoured by the unemployed we're now seeing people turn to our services as a short term solution to either raise cash to fund business ventures, such as Sid, or for those tired of all the complications of dealing with bank loans or overdrafts."
He continues: "Although gold and jewellery items are still by far the most popular we have seen people pawn everything from paintings to a set of gold teeth. However Elvis is the only bronze rock star we've received to date!"
The statue was created by the revered sculptor Jon Douglas in 1981, when he was 76 years old. It has had a colourful history with showcases across Europe and worldwide publicity. It has moved between Sid's London Elvis shops over the last 30 years.