Advertisement
Press Release

Local Norwich Big Issue seller Simon Gravell amongst first to trial innovative new digital initiative by Big Issue Group

Organisation works with Global Street Art to create eye-catching 3D ‘shopfront’ in London to demonstrate how the business model works and challenge existing perceptions

The social enterprise has launched a new digital initiative, empowering vendors with personalised QR codes to connect with their customers and earn more

  • Organisation works with Global Street Art to create eye-catching 3D ‘shopfront’ in London to demonstrate how the business model works and challenge existing perceptions
  • The social enterprise has launched a new digital initiative, empowering vendors with personalised QR codes to connect with their customers and earn more

A local Big Issue vendor who sells the magazine in Norwich, Simon Gravell, is one of ten vendors across the UK trialling a new digital initiative from the Big Issue Group.

The Big Issue Group (BIG) recently unveiled a shopfront mural in Shoreditch, London entitled  – ‘The Street is my Store’ – in an effort to highlight that, despite not having a traditional bricks and mortar outlet from which to sell, vendors are running mini businesses, buying and selling copies of the magazine to earn a living in order to change their lives.

The mural, created by Global Street Art’s also aims to raise awareness of a new and innovative digital initiative that will help create new ways for customers to interact with vendors and help bolster Big Issue vendors’ income.

Simon Gravell, who is one of ten vendors offering the new digital initiative to his customers, and who sells the Big Issue outside Topshop, Norwich, spoke about when he started selling the Big Issue: “When I started selling the Big Issue I was living in a ditch, and my sales gave me the money to stop in a backpackers’ hostel. Because it was closed season, it was only £11 a night. Then I basically ended up in a tent. Once I got fed up with living in the tent, I decided it was time to get accommodation, so I started saving up all my money. Ended up getting a room in a private rental and using the Big Issue money to pay my rent. Now I’m living with my girlfriend, I use the Big Issue to pay the bills. It’s impacted me 100% in a positive way.”

On current public perceptions of the Big Issue, Simon explained that he felt people do understand how it works more now: “I think, in general, now people realise that we pay for the magazines. Whereas when I first started selling it, I overheard somebody say “oh the police give them to them to stop them begging”. But now I think people really understand we are self-employed business people.”

Simon spoke about what selling the magazine means to him: “I just love getting out there. I love the hustle. Meeting people. Saying good morning to somebody on the Monday, them grunting back at you and selling them a magazine on the Friday because you’ve won them round. You meet lots of people and your regulars actually become your friends over time.

Advertisement
Advertisement

On how the new digital initiative will help, Simon explained: “I think the QR code initiative is a brilliant tool for a vendor to have in his bag, that he can just pull out. Because a lot of the time you’ve got a regular customer, they’ve bought off you for 18 months without fail, same day of the week, same time, and then they say oh, this will be the last time I get one Simon, because I’m moving away, or I’ve changed jobs, I’m not coming into the city now. And then you can say well you can still support me, by flashing this and getting the subscription. “

The initiative has been created to empower vendors with personalised QR codes on lanyards and webpages allowing customers to share their local vendor’s subscription, pitch location and story with friends and family to help boost vendor earnings. This initiative will eventually be rolled out to all vendors.

Vendors buy magazines for £2 and sell them on for £4. Customers can also subscribe with a vendor online, which provides a vital additional source of regular income. 

With the support of BIG, these micro-business owners learn vital skills that help them grow and develop, meeting their personal, social and financial goals. However, these businesses wouldn’t be viable without public support.

Lord Bird, Founder of the Big Issue Group, said: “I started the Big Issue to help people help themselves off the streets and out of poverty. Sadly, the work we do has never been more important. And just like any small business, it simply doesn’t work without the support of the community. We hope this mural will resonate with the public and help boost the visibility of our vendors and the work they do.

“We are also pleased to mark the launch of yet another way by which customers can further connect with their local vendor. Which is why we are urging you to help boost your local vendor’s income by scanning their personalised QR code to share the vendor’s story and subscribe.”

Big Issue Group collaborated with a creative team and Global Street Art to bring the realistic 3D storefront to life. The artwork is located at Village Underground, London measuring 7.4 metres high by 16 metres wide and will be on display until the 24July.

To boost vendor earnings, buy a copy of the magazine or subscribe online by visiting www.bigissue.com/boost-vendor-earnings.

Advertisement

    Change a vendor's life this Christmas

    This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

    Recommended for you

    Read All
    Big Issue vendors set to earn close to half a million additional earnings by 2027 via giffgaff partnership
    Hammersmith Big Issue vendor Dave Martin uses his giffgaff phone to take a contactless payment. Credit Andy Parsons
    Press Release

    Big Issue vendors set to earn close to half a million additional earnings by 2027 via giffgaff partnership

    Big Issue’s social investment arm reaching 1.8 million Brits through investees
    The Power Up London 2024 Cohort of Big Issue Investees.
    Big Issue Invest

    Big Issue’s social investment arm reaching 1.8 million Brits through investees

    New research shows over half of Brits feel more at risk of homelessness than last year
    Press Release

    New research shows over half of Brits feel more at risk of homelessness than last year

    Wrap up in style or put up on display: Artists including Opake and Harry Hill feature in Big Issue designer wrapping paper collection
    Press Release

    Wrap up in style or put up on display: Artists including Opake and Harry Hill feature in Big Issue designer wrapping paper collection

    Most Popular

    Read All
    Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
    Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
    1.

    Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

    Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
    Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
    2.

    Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

    Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
    next dwp cost of living payment 2023
    3.

    Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

    Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
    4.

    Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue