News

There's snow stopping 'em! Vendors brave the Beast from the East

Snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures have battered Britain but our sellers remain on the streets working to lift themselves out of poverty

by: Liam Geraghty

1 Mar 2018

The Beast from the East may have brought Britain to a standstill – but it hasn’t stopped our Big Issue vendors.

Sellers across the country were faced with freezing temperatures and snowy conditions on pitches all week as they sold the magazine to work themselves out of poverty.

Morning people, another #snowday for the kids and staff but you can't keep a good African down – or Jim it seems! Both Craig and Jim will be back at work today for any jewellery or @BigIssue related needs! #open #BeastFromTheEast @NorwichLanes pic.twitter.com/oEdyzIdVhU

— Sonkai Jewellers (@SonkaiJewellers) March 1, 2018

Snow, what snow? Nothing seems to stop Vaio from being outside John Lewis on Oxford Street every morning from 0700. If only everything was as reliable as this seller! @BigIssue @johnlewisretail pic.twitter.com/EVzaUae8t6

— AW (@quillsfolly) February 28, 2018

Major kudos to the @BigIssue seller working this morning outside Farringdon station. Loads of people at home to avoid the cold and he's standing outside to make a living #hero #TheBeastFromTheEast

— Abigail de Leon (@Absdeleon) March 1, 2018

No newspapers to be found in Bristol today but you can get your @BigIssue from Jack. He’s also invested in a card reader so no excuse for not having cash. That’s real entrepreneurship on the street! pic.twitter.com/nvZVH5B7yM

— Peter Jones (@HomesPJ) March 2, 2018

I had the pleasure of talking to some lovely @BigIssue vendors on the streets of Bristol today – it was ruddy freezing but there was not a complaint to be heard from them. Thanks for a friendly chat and for putting my complaining about my cold fingers into perspective! pic.twitter.com/SWtofTqj5t

— Ellie Pipe (@eekpipe) February 27, 2018

Despite the wintry blast, intrepid vendors remained on pitches throughout, spurred on by crucial support from regulars in these difficult conditions. The extreme weather was a harsh reminder that it is the most vulnerable who are hit hardest at difficult times.

Rough sleeping alerts app StreetLink demonstrated the harsh reality of life on the streets with record numbers of referrals as 3,600 people got in touch to report people sleeping on the streets – 2,032 in London – as the weather worsened between February 26 and 27.

While hundreds of schools and offices were closed, vendors do not have the luxury of working from home. Their job is tough at the best of times but their enterprising spirit was appreciated by people who shared messages across social media.

Super impressed that my local @BigIssue seller, Georgie, is braving the cold today. He needs to sell his stock before he can go inside & keep warm. Anyone on Hampstead Heath today, do pop along to his spot outside Swain's Lane Tesco & buy a copy. ❄❤ pic.twitter.com/TSH2WnvWP1

— Emma Jolly (@emmajolly) March 2, 2018

@robinprice1975 @TBIF @BigIssue Snowing but still on my pitch Mark's and Spencer's Weston super mare come and get one from me and say hello pic.twitter.com/0HuaXTp6Km

— john williams (@john_boyojohn1) March 1, 2018

Working through lunch selling @BigIssue with @Freshfields volunteers & @TBIF in the snow. #dedication pic.twitter.com/qivziH2108

— Stephen Robertson (@Stephen_TBIF) February 28, 2018

The snow has also brought a flurry of goodwill with football clubs donating leftover food after cancelled matches while everywhere from churches and mosques to cafes and community centres across the country have opened their doors to offer rough sleepers crucial shelter from the cold.

If you can’t reach your local vendor then you can buy the magazine from the Big Issue Shop here.

Our 2020 Impact Report

The Big Issue has given more than £1 million support to Big Issue vendors struggling due to the lockdown restrictions. To mark the significant milestone, we have published an impact report, documenting the seismic shift the organisation has undergone in the past 12 months.

View Report