Big Issue magazine celebrates circulation lift for third consecutive year

The Big Issue, the magazine sold on the streets by people affected by poverty, has recorded an increase in magazine sales for the third year in a row, selling 83,073 copies each week.

The latest figure, which covers 2017, was released today by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), and marked a one per cent increase on the previous year, meaning the publication has shown three consecutive years of circulation growth, with sales now at their highest since 2012 – a seven per cent increase in three years.

Editor, Paul McNamee, said: “The Big Issue is totally unique. We exist to give the poorest in society, those who may feel society has left them behind, a means to earn a living and pull themselves back up. It’s a community – of vendors, of readers and supporters, of staff.

“We’re woven into the fabric of Britain’s high streets and in its hearts and minds. It’s incredible that this sense of identity continues to grow, in our 27th year of existence. It’s wonderful that our readers have stayed with us, that they have found the words, and the identity and the attitude they love in the pages we produce. It’s testament to the incredible work of everybody in the organisation.

“So long as we are needed, we will be here. And we’ll continue to work to buck all received notions of what people will pay. We’ll continue to produce quality, must-read journalism. On we go.”

Russell Blackman, The Big Issue’s Managing Director of Publishing & Business Development said: “The latest ABC figure is testament to the hard work of our talented and award-winning editorial team who produce a great read, week in, week out. However it’s also reflective of the difficulties and challenges that befall an increasing number in our society.

“The Big Issue is here to meet that need, both by providing anyone who needs it with the opportunity to earn an income, and also by using our distinctive editorial voice and campaigning agenda to push for positive change.”

Launched as a business solution to a social problem, sales of the magazine are also seen to provide a barometer for levels of poverty. According to Department for Housing, Communities & Local Government figures, the number of people rough sleeping in England has risen for the seventh consecutive year in a row, with 4,751 people counted or estimated to be sleeping rough in autumn 2017, a 15 per cent rise on the year before and more than double the figure recorded five years ago.

The latest issue of The Big Issue is on sale now. If you can’t find a vendor near you, pick up your copy online from The Big Issue Shop.