Lockdown has led a Big Issue seller in Sheffield into financial hardship

Big Issue made the decision to cease street selling on March 23. However, for many sellers this meant their income disappeared.

Andy, who asked for his surname to be withheld and who can often be seen selling on his patch outside John Lewis in Sheffield city centre, said he is grateful to have a roof over his head, but believes many will not be so lucky soon.

He said: “I’m glad to have my own place, but a lot of vendors don’t and I think there’s going to be a lot more people homeless after this.”

Although hit hard financially, Andy said he misses the social side of selling the magazines more than anything.

He said: “I live on my own, so I’m missing the sense of community. I miss talking to my regular customers, seeing how they are, the camaraderie. That’s all been taken from me.

“I’ve had a routine for 12 years, up at 9am and out of the house all day. It’s gone from that to nothing. A lot of vendors I know suffer with mental health and it’s difficult at the moment.”

The Big Issue has 1,500 vendors nationwide. However, technically they are self-employed, so are not eligible for government furlough schemes.

Big Issue Northhas now set up a hardship fund the public can donate to and put the magazine on sale in supermarkets and online.

Bronte Schiltz, for Big Issue North, said two-thirds of its vendors are currently housed and money raised will be used to ensure they can carry on paying rent and also to help their homeless vendors find accommodation.

She said: “We’re also using the money for simple things like paying their bills and keeping their phones topped up so they can talk to people, which is important as many vendors are isolated.”

Andy wanted to send a message to his customers.

He said: “I hope my customers are all right and I’d like to let everyone know the other vendors and I are safe. I’m looking forward to being back out there at the heart of the community.”

To donate, see bigissue.com/support-the-big-issue

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