Big Issue vendors find community and income across London

The Big Issue magazine is celebrating its 35th anniversary this September, continuing its mission to provide a 'hand up not a hand out' for individuals facing financial insecurity. In London, approximately 616 vendors are currently selling the publication, having sold 358,000 copies over the last year. Since its inception in 1991, The Big Issue has supported 110,000 vendors across the UK, enabling them to collectively earn £162 million.

A sustainable income stream

Vendors purchase copies of The Big Issue from the publisher for £2.50 and sell them to the public for £5.00. The entire profit from each sale is kept by the vendor, which they can then use to purchase more magazines for the following week. This model allows individuals to generate their own income. To adapt to a decline in cash transactions, many vendors now offer card readers or QR codes, enabling customers to pay electronically.

Personal stories of change

Kelvin Gregory, who was one of the first vendors when the magazine launched in London, has been selling The Big Issue for 35 years. He described how the magazine offered him an opportunity when he was homeless and struggling to find work. Now living with his partner and dog, Gregory continues to sell on the Strand, valuing the social interaction and sense of community it provides. He told BBC London, 'It's made me a better person, be more socially aware.'

Easton, aged 72, who sells in Tufnell Park and White City, found it difficult to secure employment after returning to the UK in 2002. He was offered the chance to sell The Big Issue and found he could earn a living, reducing his reliance on family. He recently returned to selling after customers asked for his return, enjoying the fresh air and the sense of purpose. Before the 2019 lockdown, Easton could sell up to 70 copies daily, though sales have since decreased.

George Anderson, a former scientist, began selling The Big Issue near BBC New Broadcasting House in Portland Place a decade ago. After facing job loss and personal difficulties in Scotland, he was advised to try selling the magazine in London. He found a supportive network among BBC staff, who even raised funds for him when he was seriously ill with pneumonia. Anderson told BBC London, 'When all doors were closing in my face and the world didn't seem a particularly friendly place, the door to the Big Issue was always open.'