‘I’m going to miss him’: Calls for plaque in memory to ‘gentle’ Big Issue vendor who died aged 57
Darren Prentice’s death on 5 January has shocked the community in Chelsea where he sold the magazine. Now his customers are rallying together to organise a plaque to be placed on his pitch in his memory
Big Issue vendor Darren Prentice has been remembered for his “cheeriness” where he sold the magazine in Chelsea. Image: Andrew Jones
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A Big Issue vendor’s loyal customers have called for him to be given a plaque on his pitch after he passed away earlier this month.
Darren Prentice died from a suspected heart attack on 5 January at the age of 57.
Darren and his dog Pip had become a well-loved pairing outside the Everyman Cinema on the King’s Road in Chelsea, West London, over the years.
Following his death, floral tributes have been left on his pitch while members of the community are pulling together for a more permanent way to keep his memory alive.
One of his regular customers, Bea, told the Big Issue: “So many people have wanted to pay their respects to Darren because he was a very well-loved character in the area.
“He and Pip had the perfect loyalty and we all really admired that. People really liked him. He was a very gentle character.
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“Whenever I saw him, he always told me that he loved me, which was just delightful. I’d known him for more than 10 years and I wasn’t somebody who could always afford to give him money, and when I’d say to him, ‘Sorry, love, I don’t have anything for you today,’ he’d say, ‘Don’t worry. I’m alright.’
“He was equally nice to the people who didn’t give as the people who did give, which was just charming really.”
Bea said the shock at Darren’s death had resonated throughout the local community around Chelsea.
While some customers are looking to arrange for a plaque to be placed on his pitch, others are exploring the possibility of creating a statue of Pip.
Like many Big issue vendors, the bond with canine companions is incredibly important. It was a particularly strong connection for Darren and Pip.
“He just really cared about Pip. Pip was the most important thing in his life. He always said that if we didn’t see him anymore then it would be because something had happened to Pip,” said Bea.
“Everybody is upset, the restaurants, the cafes, there isn’t another person who is as well loved as Darren. We’re very, very sad he’s gone. It’s sad because it shouldn’t happen. A man shouldn’t die of a heart attack because of the stress in the cold.
Big Issue vendor Darren Prentice with his dog Pip. Image: Andrew Jones
“And I think we all know that it’s very easy that any of us can end up in a situation that is not really very humane and not very kind and a bit unfair – because everybody should have a roof over their head.
“He’d always have a cheeriness to him. He was always pleased to see you even when you didn’t have anything for him. I’m really going to miss him and I know all of us just wish it wasn’t the way it was.”
Another one of Darren’s customers, Suzanne, said: “Darren always said, ‘We love you, gal,’ after I’d given him anything and was walking away. I will always remember him for that.”
Jerri Corbett, a Big Issue sales and outreach worker in London, paid tribute to Darren and the “outpouring of love” from his customers following his death.
“Darren (and Pip) was well-known and very well-liked in his community. He was kind-hearted and a real character,” said Corbett.
“It is a real loss to all of us who knew and worked alongside him. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who ever supported Darren. Your outpouring of love has overwhelmed us.”
