H&T Group PLC now trading in all shops with full financial service

() has said it is reassured by the volume of customers being serviced since the reopening of its stores and the early recovery in new customer lending.

The pawnbroking firm started the phased reopening of its estate in May, adding full financial service offering and retail jewellery as lockdown restrictions were eased by the government.

WATCH: H&T Group ‘appropriately capitalised’ and offering interest holidays on its secured loans

It also implemented an online pawnbroking payment portal to settle loans remotely, and to date 12,000 customers have used this service making payments of £3mln.

Throughout the lockdown period H&T said it benefitted from the high gold price as it maintained its gold processing operations, as well as continuing to sell jewellery online.

From the onset of the crisis, the AIM-listed company supported its clients by allowing an interest holiday on all outstanding secured loans while stores were closed, as well as providing pawnbroking and personal loan customers with the opportunity to defer payment by up to three months.

The pawnbroker added that it mitigated its costs and cash outflows and has been able to reduce overall net debt despite the revenue hit, and it now has a full revolving credit facility to draw on as the pledge book grows in coming months.

Regarding a creditworthiness review for its unsecured HCSTC loans with the FCA, H&T said the appointment of a skilled person was postponed until restrictions are be eased but the appointment is expected in the next calendar quarter.  

“Whilst not immune to the effects of the pandemic, H&T has come through this phase of this global crisis in good order and in a robust financial position,” said chief executive John Nichols in a statement.