Plea for help as coronavirus turns into Big Issue for magazine sellers

The Big Issue has launched an urgent Christmas appeal as sales drop by 40 per cent, threatening losses for its sellers across the country.

The magazine reported a projected short fall of up to £100,000 a week for the organisation and vendors leading up to Christmas.

Sales have suffered as a result of the virus crisis, which has led to a huge fall in the number of people travelling into town and city centres, where many vendors are based.

The public was urged to offer support to The Big Issue, which expects sales to be down by around 40%.

During the last lockdown, staff were able to support vendors, with £600,000 being dispersed in the form of food vouchers, meter top-ups and other emergency aid.

Lavinia Neda, who sells the magazine on Llandaff High Street, Cardiff, said: “It is a very strange time at the moment and very worrying, I can't sell ten magazines in a week now - this has never happened to me in all my time at The Big Issue. Some people who were my regulars before don't buy the magazine now.”

r vendors, with high streets bustling and everyone full of festive cheer.

“But if the current trend continues both our vendors and the organisation face a weekly shortfall of over £100,000 during this period.

"We are calling on the public to support your local vendor where you can. If you haven't got a local vendor, please think about subscribing or making a donation to The Big Christmas Appeal, to enable us to be there for our vendors, both now and in the future."