PARIS, Oct 9: Whether it’s a big steel coffer or a metal box with a padlock, safes are in high demand as French savers worried about the financial crisis decide to keep cash and jewels at home, instead of banks.

The turmoil battering banks across Europe is unlocking new opportunities for firms like the Solon security shop outside Paris, where manager Nicolas Rebaudengo said sales surged 30 per cent over the past two weeks.

“Customers tell us they don’t have too much faith in the banks and they expect problems,” said Rebaudengo.

Young well-heeled executives, pensioners, middle class couples and lower income workers have all browsed his shop recently, looking at models that range in price between 500 and 2,000 euros ($680 to $2,700).

New faces have also flocked to Djamila Menna’s BS Protection shop in Paris, where business has shot up 20 per cent over the past 10 days.

“Nowadays even the man on the street is coming in to learn about safes because it’s not something that he has ever considered,” said Menna.

“He is looking for a way to protect himself.”—AFP