Ahmed Hashi, Waterstones, The Hayes, Cardiff: ‘Once I put my Big Issue tabard on I’m in work mode’

I’ve been selling the magazine for 25 years, maybe more. It’s become what I do. I used to be a carpet fitter and a friend introduced me to Big Issue, I think. Once I put my tabard on I’m in work mode, because I’ve been doing it for so long. It feels like a job to me.

I enjoy meeting people and enjoy people’s company. I’ve become well-known on my pitch over that time. Some customers take me out for lunch sometimes and I might get a few extra pounds given to me and things like that. I just stand there, say “Big Issue” and be polite, that’s about it really. 

Selling the magazine was a bit daunting at first, but it’s OK now. I suppose you hit your stride after 20-odd years! I enjoy being among the public. I’ve got quite a few regulars because I’ve been doing it for so long. It’s important to have those regular customers because without them you wouldn’t know where you are from week to week. 

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Big Issue helps me in a lot of ways. They support me in all sorts of ways. They’ve helped me with money. They’ve helped with the place that I’m staying: they bought me a fridge freezer. My old one broke and they’re expensive to replace. I was just grateful for it.

My favourite time of year to sell the magazine would be Christmas. I put a load of layers on to keep warm. In the summer when it’s really hot I do the opposite! Sometimes when it’s really hot I have to go home because I can’t stand in the heat. 

I’ve lived in Cardiff about 30 years, I think. I love it here.The people are pretty friendly, there’s not that much trouble here and everyone’s easygoing. It’s quite nice down Cardiff Bay if anyone is ever visiting. I take my children down there.

I’ve got five daughters and five grandchildren and another grandchild on the way. I see two of them regularly but the others live out of town. They are all grown up now – my youngest is nearly 30.

My main hobby is cycling. I cycle every day down the Taff Trail. I’m on the bike all the time and I’ve always liked it. I’ve been cycling as long as I’ve done Big Issue. I love it because it keeps me fit. I always have. Cardiff is not too bad to cycle around nowadays – there are a lot of cycle lanes.

I’m hoping to buy a vehicle this year if I can get around to it. I’d like to visit my grand­children a bit more. They’re in Newport and Newbridge. I have cycled there in the past but a vehicle would make things easier.

I’ve struggled with alcohol in the past but I’ve managed to stop it. I’ve been trying on and off for a long time but I haven’t had any alcohol now for over three months. So hopefully now I can stick to it.

I don’t have any future plans to stop doing Big Issue. I just live day to day – I don’t really think that far ahead. I really don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t discovered Big Issue but I’d just like to thank all of my customers for their support.

Interview: Liam Geraghty

Waterstones, The Hayes, Saint Davids Centre, Cardiff, UK