Constantin Mustafa, Co-op Food, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol
Constantin sees his customers as a second family
Photo: Juliette Pedram
I’ve been selling Big Issue for 11 years. I have been providing food for my family and paying for rent thanks to the money I make.
I lived in Romania before coming to England. It was hard living there. In the ’80s, under Ceaușescu, they provided food, water, schools. When he died and the revolution came, we thought we would have a democracy, but we didn’t. My family were killed during the revolution. They were shooting people in the streets.
After the revolution we had a bad life. The moment I came to England I settled with my family, my kids were able to go to school. Now my kids have finished their studies, some have gone to university. I was able to earn thanks to Big Issue.
Five years ago, Big Issue helped me with food when I had a bad surgery. I had to stay in hospital for five weeks and didn’t have any money. But the Big Issue people brought me food and vouchers for shops.
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Big Issue people are like my family. When I had hard times – I had a very difficult heart surgery in March this year – the Big Issue team helped me with food and other needs. So I’m so glad and thankful for them.
After the surgery, I was back on my pitch in two weeks. It can get hard when it’s cold. Because of the surgery I can feel the cold on my chest, on the scar. Once I’m properly healed, I should be fine. I will get more layers on this winter, maybe use a hot water bottle to reheat my chest.
The customers here in Westbury are very, very sweet. It’s like a second family, I don’t know how to describe it. When some people give me money but don’t want the magazine I make sure to give it to them, I don’t want people to think I’m a beggar.
I have a good relationship with a lot of my customers. Some help me with food, with the rent money, with my health, like telling me not to smoke. People take care of me. One customer gave me money recently to help me pay my electricity and gas bills.
When it’s Christmas time, I give people cards, put some music on my pitch, give them sweets, and I dress up as Santa! I respect all people, equal to equal. I don’t mind if people just want to say hello and not buy the magazine, even if they want to insult me, I will respect them.
When I have a bad day, I come to my pitch, put some music on my speakers and the customers motivate me by giving me hugs and smiles. Then I feel better. Thanks to this pitch, my family has everything they need at home. All the money I make here, I take it home to my wife and kids. The vendor vest is a shield. It makes a big difference when you put it on. People see you from a distance and recognise you.
When I started with Big Issue, I received five free magazines, and this pitch. It made me feel employed. Made me feel like I will be able to provide for my family. Now I have received a phone from Big Issue, and I am equipped to take cashless payments. But I still get more sales in cash.
I’m happy. I like what I’m doing. If it rains, if it snows, if it’s hot, I’m still here, and still happy.
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Co-op Food - Bristol - Canford Lane, Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, UK