Pawnbrokers
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has responsibility for the licensing of pawnbrokers under the Pawnbrokers Act 1964 (as amended).
There are currently three pawnbrokers licensed in Ireland:
- John Brereton Pawnbroker Limited – 108 Capel Street, Dublin 1
- Kearns Pawnbrokers and Jewellers Limited – 69 Queen Street, Dublin 7
- Carthy’s Pawnbroking Limited – 84 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1
If you take goods in pawn
A pawnbroker is defined in the Pawnbrokers Act 1964 (as amended) as:
“any person who carries on the business of taking goods and chattels in pawn and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) includes any person who—
(a) receives or takes from any other person any goods or chattels by way of security for the repayment of any sum of money not exceeding €6,348.69 advanced thereon; or
(b) purchases, or receives or takes in, goods or chattels and pays or advances or lends thereon any sum of money not exceeding €6,348.69 with or under an agreement or understanding expressed or implied or from the nature of the transaction to be reasonably inferred that those goods or chattels may be afterwards redeemed or purchased on any terms.”
It is an offence to carry on the business of a pawnbroker without a licence from the CCPC.
How to become a pawnbroker
If you are applying to the CCPC to be a pawnbroker you must have a suitable premises, complete an application form and supply copies of your latest:
- Tax Clearance Certificate
- Accounts
- Fire and theft insurance policy
- Certificate of incorporation
Once your application is accepted, you will be required to pay the fee of €1,269.75 in order to receive your licence. A licence is granted for a period of 12 months and must be renewed each year.
For further information and an application form, please contact the CCPC:
- Via Email: ConCred@ccpc.ie
- In writing to: CCPC, Bloom House, Railway Street, Dublin 1, D01 C576
