Success has been on the cards for The Big Issue’s cashless revolution

If you haven’t heard, on Monday we launched our partnership with iZettle to allow vendors all over the UK to offer contactless payments.

You’ll have done well to miss the news because it is fair to say it attracted a fair bit of attention.

We weren’t the only ones shouting about it, the news story on the BBC was sitting high among their Most Read list on their website on Monday.

It's official, our vendors are now able to take contactless card payments, thanks to our partnership with @iZettle. Here's everything you need to know: https://t.co/ZRePwHdF1F

Have you bought a #cashlessbigissue today? pic.twitter.com/0PP3UKdZXc

— Big Issue (@BigIssue) September 9, 2019

Metro, the Evening Standard, the Daily Express and The i also ran with the story online.

The story was also a hit in print with Daily Express, Daily Star, Mirror, Metro, the i Newspaper, Evening Standard, The Scotsman and The Sun and a host of regional outlets giving our big announcement column inches.

Mike Hall’s story captured the imagination the Bristol Post’s Business Live.

Bristol Temple Meads seller Mike said: “Since I started using my iZettle card reader, I have seen my sales increase by a third, which is incredible.

“It has been really important in attracting more customers to buy copies of the magazine from me and I am so pleased to be part of being able to offer contactless.”

Away from the written word, Big Issue editor Paul McNamee spoke to BBC’s Good Morning Scotland (listen here from 15 minutes) as well as Global Radio along with our managing director Russell Blackman.

Vendor Hugh, who sells the magazine at St Paul’s underground station, was featured in bulletins on LBC, Smooth and Heart radio stations throughout Monday and Tuesday. Our iZettle team-up was also a big hit on the BBC’s local radio network.

From today you can buy @BigIssue with contactless payment nationwide after a successful trial in London @itvlondon@GMB

— Sally Biddulph (@SallyBiddulph) September 9, 2019

Norwich vendor Jim Hannah is slated to appear on BBC Radio 4’s Moneybox this weekend too. You can listen to that here.

And as for the small screen, ITV Devon and ITV Wales both covered the tale.

Mondays are awesome. I get to see the new installment of @BigIssue . I shall be on pitch about 9am with a big smile. Look forward to seeing you, and please note, I accept card payments too.

— Bigissuegraham (@bigissuegraham) September 9, 2019

Our team-up with iZettle even caught the attention of tech site Gizmodo and Yahoo Finance.

If you want to join The Big Issue’s cashless revolution up close and personal yourself then buy this week’s magazine from your nearest vendor.