Latest news with #Jag
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'I can lend someone £100k in an hour': The life of a pawnbroker
If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each week, our Money team speaks to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. Today, we chat to James Constantinou, owner of pawnbroker chain Prestige Pawn. You can't train for it… I was born into wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, so I picked it up from experience. It's something that I love doing, and there's not a course for it. If we're talking about my employees, they are all highly skilled individuals who have trained and become experts in their fields. We have around 60 experts who all excel in a range of specialisms - such as gemologists or art. My skills lie in pulling them together and keeping the work going. Those in their specialised fields will have degrees, diplomas and have studied for years. They can look at the fake Rolexes from today and compare them to the real ones from 10 to 15 years ago - there's almost no comparison. It's really difficult to tell the difference between fake and the real deal in some circumstances. People think my job is lots of TV, helicopters, boats and aeroplanes… But the day-to-day running of the business isn't always like that. There are the normal headaches of staffing rates, leaky air con units and floods - and all other things that go alongside. It's not quite as glamorous as how it's portrayed. It's a misconception to say we charge high and unfair interest rates… The monthly rate starts at 2%, and I don't advise people to take a pawnbroking loan out for a year or two - we only offer up to seven months, and most of our customers redeem in around three. You can't go into the high street and borrow £100,000 within an hour... but in one of my stores, you can, so it's quite rewarding to help people when they need it. When you are approached by someone who needs cash for something urgent and has been to the banks to borrow and denied, and then you're able to step in a way that other lenders aren't able to. There is no typical day… Today I'm at home because we have someone here doing some work, but I'm still on the phone. I've got an E-type Jag appraisal and a cherished number plate, so I'm helping the team. There are guys at Gracechurch Street dealing with some bullion at the moment, so I'm helping with that. Between the team, I'm helping us get deals across the line and closing them. I am interested in items worth £50 to £1m… It's not all about the money. I believe you need more of a passion rather than a skill to do the job well. A normal starting salary in this industry… is around £30,000. The best perk is… getting to see all the amazing assets that come in and drive the fancy cars. I've loved meeting all the fantastic people along the way, too. From where I came from and especially since I left school, I never in a million years thought I would be in this position. Opening the doors to our business in May 2009 was a big moment, and then… Our first customer walked through the door and we jumped out of our seats like "Oh God, someone's actually noticed us!" Two of us ran to the counter to serve him, and he said, "Oh sorry, I thought this was a hairdresser's." We had to point him next door. I make mistakes weekly… If you don't make mistakes, then you don't learn. In the past, we've bought watches and pieces of art that have turned out not to be genuine. That was early doors, so those items wouldn't get us today. As a fledgling business, you're going to make mistakes. It was a hard lesson to learn, but a journey we had to go through. We don't touch stolen goods… This is another misconception that maybe occurred in the 1940s or 50s when the industry wasn't as regulated. I'd say a pawnbroker is one of the last places you'd take stolen goods to. I'm not saying it's never happened in 15 years of trading, but when it has, very early on, those items have ended up in the hands of the police. When people come in, they are recorded, we take copies of their passport and driving licences and ask to see proof of purchase. We're also members of associations where, if a luxury item gets stolen, it gets reported. For example, if a Rolex gets stolen, it gets put on the stolen watch register. The first thing we do before purchasing is check all of these databases to make sure the assets aren't stolen. We are only custodians of goods, we rarely own them… Only about 20% of the items stay with us the full seven months and end up going to market. For those sold, we only look to recoup the money owed to us. Any overage we may receive is returned to the client. This surprises a lot of people, even those with contracts worded as such. We don't often turn people down… and leave them walking away with nothing. Most things have a value of sorts. We usually present figures to people, and I'd say that half or maybe 60% of them are accepted. Sometimes it's not the number they want to hear. Most of the time it's about managing some customers' expectations of their item's worth, especially with the reality of being in a time of economic downturn. Luxury goods are not as buoyant as they were four or five years ago. A man came in recently with a one-off hand-built trike that he bought for £100,000, but it was too specialist for us, and the market was very limited. We let him know that it wasn't one for us. People often think they can make money from royal memorabilia... Limited-edition royal memorabilia from 150 years ago can be worth a lot. But a mass-produced King Charles mug hidden in a cupboard for ten years is worthless. But gold is the opposite… It is a brilliant investment and considered bricks and mortar. But in recent years, we've been seeing massive hikes in its prices and worth - a 66% increase in the past three years. Gold makes a great investment for people with spare money who are looking for higher returns. A diamond bulldog keyring is one of my favourite items... One of the first things that came into the store in 2009 caught my eye. It was a bulldog keyring made of 18-carat gold and a diamond-studded collar. The bulldog was stood on his back legs and is now sitting on my keys. I loved the workmanship and thought it was an unusual item, which is why I've still got it on my keyring now. I get many people commenting about it. It's not worth a great deal, but it is sentimental to me. I don't plan on retiring… I don't want to only have the options to sit at home or play golf. I like to get up in the morning and have a purpose. Even if I'm not going into the office, I'm up at 6/6:30am every day. I tend to work 24 hours and sometimes even sleep dreaming about work and deals. I'm constantly connected and always getting messages on WhatsApp throughout the day. Some of the team go home and message me in the evenings and we'll have a conversation at whatever time because they're just as dedicated and passionate as I am. There's not a time I switch off - unless on holiday.
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New Jaguar car that lead disastrous ‘woke rebrand' seen for the first time… with fans divided over whether they like it
NEW DIRECTION New Jaguar car that lead disastrous 'woke rebrand' seen for the first time… with fans divided over whether they like it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAGUAR'S controversial new concept car has finally been revealed in person for the first time - sparking intense debate between fans. Onlookers got to see the Jag which has been at the forefront of its "woke" rebrand. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A Jaguar Type 00 concept car was displayed during the Goodwood Festival of Speed Credit: Getty 5 The car's blue was a departure from the new ad's pink Credit: Getty 5 One fan described the car's rear as 'horrendous' Credit: Getty 5 The new car drew big crowds at Goodwood Credit: Getty Jaguar unveiled its new Type 00 concept car for the first time on Friday morning at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car will never go on sale in its existing form. Instead, it is a concept car exhibited to showcase Jaguar's new "exuberant modernism." The car stunned Goodwood's guests with its spotless, striking blue exterior which drew large crowds from across the festival. The colour was a significant departure from the pink colour dressing the 00 when it was first announced late last year. This was preceded by Jaguar's glossy ad campaign with bright colours and catwalk models last November which sparked outrage. When the 30-second ad was first unveiled, flashing up a number of slogans, including "live vivid", "delete ordinary" and "copy nothing", fans on social media were not happy. The likes of Nigel Farage and even Elon Musk led the critics, with the Reform leader describing it as "woke" and warned the automaker risked "going bust" due to its new design choice. Musk simply asked Jaguar on X: ''Do you sell cars?' This weekend, fans had the chance to comment on the car's new design after physically seeing it. Jaguar boss doubles down & DEFENDS new 'woke Tesla' pink EV in controversial rebrand Speaking to The Times, many fans were left unimpressed by Jaguar's new concept car and new brand direction. "The back's horrendous," said one fan. Another assessed: 'They've wrecked the brand. "The logo is awful, it looks like it was designed by a child. One fan even said the new ad campaign had led him to sell his F-Pace. Others did enjoy some of the features of the new car, saying they thought it was cool and futuristic. In November, the controversial ad excluded any images of its sleek sports cars as it touted its transition to a fully electric, ultra-luxury company. The scrapping of the well-known big cat badge in favour of a geometric 'J' design also drew fierce criticism. At the time of release, one Facebook user commented: "If I wasn't sure before, now I'm convinced Jaguar have completely lost the plot. This woke nonsense won't gain anything." Another said: "As someone who worked for this iconic brand up until production cessation in June it really does sadden me to see the direction the company has decided to take."
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New Jaguar car that lead disastrous ‘woke rebrand' seen for the first time… with fans divided over whether they like it
JAGUAR'S controversial new concept car has finally been revealed in person for the first time - sparking intense debate between fans. Onlookers got to see the Jag which has been at the forefront of its "woke" rebrand. 5 A Jaguar Type 00 concept car was displayed during the Goodwood Festival of Speed Credit: Getty 5 The car's blue was a departure from the new ad's pink Credit: Getty 5 One fan described the car's rear as 'horrendous' Credit: Getty 5 The new car drew big crowds at Goodwood Credit: Getty Jaguar unveiled its new The car will never go on sale in its existing form. Instead, it is a concept car exhibited to showcase Jaguar's new "exuberant modernism." The car stunned Goodwood's guests with its spotless, striking blue exterior which drew large crowds from across the festival. Read more Motors The colour was a significant departure from the pink colour dressing the 00 when it was first This was preceded by Jaguar's last November which sparked outrage. When the 30-second ad was first unveiled, flashing up a number of slogans, including "live vivid", "delete ordinary" and "copy nothing", fans on social media were not happy. The likes of Nigel Farage and even Elon Musk led the critics, with the Reform leader describing it as "woke" and . Most read in Motors Musk simply asked Jaguar on X: ''Do you sell cars?' This weekend, fans had the chance to comment on the car's new design after physically seeing it. Jaguar boss doubles down & DEFENDS new 'woke Tesla' pink EV in controversial rebrand Speaking to The Times, many fans were left unimpressed by Jaguar's new concept car and new brand direction. "The back's horrendous," said one fan. Another assessed: 'They've wrecked the brand. " One fan even said the new ad campaign had led him to sell his F-Pace. Others did enjoy some of the features of the new car, saying they thought it was cool and futuristic. In November, the controversial ad excluded any images of its sleek sports cars as it touted its transition to a fully electric, ultra-luxury company. The scrapping of the well-known big cat badge in favour of a geometric 'J' design also drew fierce criticism. At the time of release, one Another said: "As someone who worked for this iconic brand up until production cessation in June it really does sadden me to see the direction the company has decided to take." 5 The 00 was originally shown as pink Credit: Getty
Motor 1
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Jaguar Type 00 EV: Everything We Know
Jaguar is in a tough spot following an aggressive rebrand that hasn't been well-received, and a radical concept car that left many customers scratching their heads. However, Jaguar pushes on with its new strategy regardless, with plans to launch a production version of the Type 00 in the next few years. Jaguar's first new model in over a decade promises to be a high-end, ultra-premium, six-figure EV. It's designed to take on posh competitors just down the road in Bentley and Rolls-Royce. We could see the production Type 00 by the end of this year. It's expected to go on sale for the 2026 or 2027 model year. Some details still under wraps, but here's what we do know so far about the next big Jag. What Will Jaguar's New EV Be Called? Jaguar Type 00 Concept Photo by: InsideEVs That's a good question. Jaguar debuted its concept with the name "Type 00." While we don't necessarily expect that nameplate to carry over to a production model, we wouldn't be surprised if it did, either. That said, Jaguar could use other monikers alongside its "Type" prefix/suffix. Some rumors suggest it could be called the I-Type—Jaguar previously used "I" to denote its electric powertrain in the I-Pace SUV. What Will It Look Like? Jaguar Type 00 EV Rendering by Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 The Type 00 concept offered a dramatic preview of Jaguar's new six-figure luxury sedan. For better or worse, the production version likely won't be a one-to-one interpretation—but it will certainly have many of the concept's same cues. Our rendering artist imagines a more-traditional take on the high-end luxury sedan with the Type 00's flat front end and faux "grille." A slim light bar runs across the blocky backside, and the profile is chiseled, with an angular C-pillar that creates a fastback-like design. We've seen prototypes without rear windows , but it remains unclear whether that design cue will carry over to the production model (our rendering keeps the rear window intact). Jaguar has high expectations for the production version—even if that means losing customers in the process . Executives promise that it will look "unlike anything you've ever seen:" 'It is our first physical manifestation and the foundation stone for a new family of Jaguars that will look unlike anything you've ever seen. A vision which strives for the highest level of artistic endeavour.' — Jaguar Land Rover Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern As a competitor to the Rolls-Royce Ghost/Spectre and Cadillac Celestiq, we expect this Jag to still be a massive vehicle when it reaches production. For reference, the Spectre is over 215 inches long, and the Celestiq is over 217 inches long. The interior of the Type 00 concept was extremely minimalist, with two massive, foldable screens extending across the entirety of the dash and a large brass 'spine' separating the driver and passenger. High-end wood, wool, and metal appear to cover most surfaces, but it's unclear how much of that will make it to production. How Much Power Will Jag's New EV Have? Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 Jaguar told Autocar that its new EV would have 986 horsepower when it reaches production. That said, we do expect multiple variants with a variety of horsepower options, similar to its competitors. The standard Spectre has 584 horsepower while the Black Badge makes 659, and the Celestiq produces 655 horsepower in base form. The luxury sedan will be fully electric, which means it will have a large battery pack beneath its floorboard and at least two electric motors. The outgoing I-Pace had a 90.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, but we expect the Type 00's pack to have an even larger capacity. The Spectre has a 102.0-kWh pack, while the Celestiq has a 111.0-kWh system. How Much Range Will It Have? Jaguar has already promised that its new EV will be able to cover at least 430 miles (692 kilometers) of range on the WLTP cycle. In the US, expect a bit less on the EPA cycle. With super-fast charging, it should also be able to add up to 200 miles (321 kilometers) of range in as little as 15 minutes. Jaguar also stated that it will transfer Formula E technology from the track into its road car: 'My primary interest in Formula E as a platform is in the technology innovation transfer. Unlike a lot of the other motorsport platforms, it's a direct transfer [in Formula E], and we can take the technology directly from the racing cars, into our own road cars.' — Jaguar Managing Director, Rawdon Glover The New Jag The Jaguar Type 00 Doesn't Even Look Real On the Road New Jaguar EV Spied Looking Gigantic How Much Will Jaguar's New EV Cost? Jaguar is moving upmarket, which means its cars will get significantly pricier. Competing against the likes of Bentley, Cadillac, and Rolls-Royce in the ultra-premium space, Jag's first EV is bound to be a six-figure vehicle. Estimates suggest the Type 00 could start at over £100,000 (around $135,000) and go up from there. For reference, the latest Bentley Flying Spur starts at just over $275,000, the Celestiq is $340,000, and the Spectre is just shy of $400,000—with the Black Badge asking over $465,000 to start. When Will Jaguar's New EV Debut? Jaguar said it plans to launch a production version of its Type 00 EV later this year, with a production version expected for the 2026 or 2027 model years. Jaguar hasn't said exactly when it plans to launch its next EV, but the Type 00 is expected to debut for the 2027 model year. That means we could see the final production version as early as sometime next year. 6 Source: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 72, ‘throttles neighbour, causes £1k of damage to his prized Jag & assaults daughter in row over shared driveway'
A court was told there was a 'very messy history' to the row over the driveway NEIGHBOUR ROW Man, 72, 'throttles neighbour, causes £1k of damage to his prized Jag & assaults daughter in row over shared driveway' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN throttled his neighbour during a row over a shared driveway and caused damage to their luxury Jaguar, a court has heard. Trevor Hollisey, 72, is accused of grabbing neighbour Neil Ford by the throat for "ten to 15 seconds" and assaulting his wife, Michelle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Trevor and Jennifer Hollisey pictured leaving Norwich Magistrates' Court Credit: SWNS 3 The couple share a driveway with at least three other properties in the village of Bressingham in Norfolk 3 Mr and Mrs Hollisey both face charges of assault Credit: Facebook Mr Hollisey, who runs a bathroom and kitchen installation firm, is also alleged to have caused £1,363 worth of damage to Mr Ford's Jaguar F-PACE during the incident last December. The company director faces two charges of assault and one of criminal damage. Wife Jennifer Hollisey, 79, also faces two charges of assault relating to the couple next door, as well as causing £3.99 of damage to her neighbour's phone in the incident. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges at Norwich Magistrates' Court last week. The court was told there was a "very messy history" to the row over the driveway, which the couple share with at least three other properties in the village of Bressingham in Norfolk. The court heard prosecutor Katherine Newson say that the alleged victims and the defendants had fallen out in a "dispute over access to their driveway". Declan Gallagher, defending the couple, said it was a "confrontation" as a result of a "long-term dispute" and that "there is a very messy history to this". When magistrates were seeking a date for the trial, Mr Hollisey interjected and told the court they "have several holidays booked this year and next". The case has been set for a two-day trial at Ipswich Magistrates' Court between March 10 and 11 next year. The couple, of High Road, Bressingham, were given conditional bail and told to have no contact with their neighbours.
