Joe McDowell, M&S Prestwich

Photo: Exposure Photo Agency

I was born in Glasgow, but we moved to Leeds when I was little. I started selling the magazine when I was homeless in Leeds years ago, by the university. Then I used to work in Manchester, and now I have been in Prestwich for about 25 years. 

The staff and customers at M&S like me because I help to put away the shopping carts or help people take their shopping to their cars. I’ve seen managers come and go, and I always say to new managers, “If you need anything, just let me know.”

I had a hard childhood. My dad was really nasty. He was violent. He told me to leave home when I was 15. I went to a special school and have no qualifications. I used to be a gardener, and if there was sunshine it was OK, but it was tough if it was raining. I prefer selling the magazine. Talking to people really cheers me up, even on a grim day when it’s wet and business is slow.

I had seven sisters and a brother, but most of them have died now. I’m still in touch with two of my sisters, Catherine and Bernadette. We talk on Facebook.

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I once went on The Jeremy Kyle Show because one of my sisters contacted me through the Salvation Army and said, “You’ve got a daughter.” I said, “I’ve not got a daughter!” I decided to do a DNA test, but it was about £70, but if you went on The Jeremy Kyle Show it was free.

I said to her, “Why do you call my mam ‘nana’ and my sisters ‘aunty’ when you’re not related to me?” But it turned out she was my daughter. All I remember is going out to a nightclub, meeting a lady and then going home!

It was a really stressful experience. You only see what’s on stage. In the background, they come into the room you are in and wind you up – telling you things the other person has said and stuff. But you don’t see that on the telly.

I had a really rough time during lockdown. I was suicidal. I couldn’t get my antidepressants, I was behind on bills, and I couldn’t go out. I kept in touch with the Manchester office, and I got some money from them to help me out but it didn’t replace the money that I would make selling the magazine. 

I also missed my regular customers. I know that they were all asking when I was coming back to sell. Then I lost my house, which I’d had for years.

Now I’m in a supported accommodation bungalow. It’s lovely. It’s quiet and there’s CCTV all over the place and security guards, so I feel safe. The Manchester Big Issue office helped me out with furniture, and so did the hostel I’d been staying at and one of my customers. I’ve been there a few years now.

I work four days a week, and on my days off, I meet up with another vendor, Graham, who sells in Ashton-under-Lyne, or watch TV. I love soaps: Coronation Street, EastEnders, Neighbours, Emmerdale, and I went on a tour of the Coronation Street set recently. It cost me £17. I wanted to do the proper tour of the cobbles to see where all the shops are, but that costs about £55. But it was lovely.

I have a card reader now. Cristian at the Manchester office helped me to get a bank account so I could get one. I still do most of my sales in cash, but it makes a lot of difference. I love Cristian.

I have a lot of regular customers. At Christmas, I dress up as Santa, and sometimes when I’m on my pitch, kids say to their mams, “It’s Santa!”

I want to say to my customers, thank you for supporting me and for the help that you’re giving me, and please keep on supporting me.

Interview: Brontë Schiltz

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M&S Foodhall, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester, UK