Pitches
Vicky will also be supporting us in finding a suitable vendor to fill the coveted Bristol temple Meads pitch where we have previously had two success stories with vendors moving on into employment who once sold at the station. Not only was it a fantastic opportunity to develop skills but it also provides a safe and dry place to sell and the chance to sell an increased amount of magazines due to the footfall of the passengers. On average a vendor sells 30-40 magazines per week but inside BTM the amount increases to in excess of 100 magazines per week. Both of these former vendors talk very fondly about their time at BTM and how they were made to feel part of the team, this was a huge contributing factor in developing their confidence and customer service skills so that they felt able to move from selling The Big Issue and secure full time employment (Mike actually became supervisor in WH Smith inside Temple Meads, a fantastic achievement). We will be interviewing vendors who are interested in selling at this pitch in the New Year and hope to be able to offer a variety of opportunities to them so they too can benefit from that sense of community and improve their confidence and skills with a view to supporting them to move on into training or employment when they are ready to do so..
