'It’s absolutely ruined me': Big Issue vendors suffer under Tier 4
The new measures will impact over 350 vendors during the "best week of the year"
Widespread tier 4 restrictions in London, South East England and South Wales mean that hundreds of Big Issue vendors cannot trade during what is normally the busiest week of the year.
Tighter restrictions have already forced more that 350 Big Issue vendors off the streets, leaving them with no income over the festive period.
Vendors across Scotland and Wales are also expected to be affected as the countries move to tougher measures post-Christmas in an attempt to curb the rapid spread of the virus.
The organisation are therefore seeking the public's support, asking people to reach out to their local vendor or buy a copy of The Big Issue online.
50% of net profits from The Big Christmas Appeal will help to provide essential emergency payments for vendors.
“Everything has been messed up"
Steve Taylor sells The Big Issue outside Pret on Old Street in London. He said: “This lockdown has stuffed us right up. It’s usually the best week of the year for all vendors.”
“It’s absolutely ruined me. This year as a whole has been a non-starter and this is the absolute cherry on the cake. I was thinking it was all too good to be true about Christmas and lo and behold everything has messed up.
“The city has been atrociously quiet because of Covid and I was hoping to be out this week to sell some magazines but there’s no chance of that now.”
Meanwhile, David Martin, who is a vendor outside Tesco in Hammersmith will miss interaction with his loyal customers as he prepares for a Christmas alone: “People will have Christmas cards and presents that they won’t be able to give me so I can’t look forward to that. I have Christmas cards to give people too. It’s all a mess.
“I have one or two cards from my customers which I will be keeping for Christmas Day so I have something to look forward to. If it weren’t for The Big Issue, I wouldn’t have got through the lockdowns this year. It’s thanks to them that I did.”
The Big issue has launched their "Urgent Christmas Appeal" to try and replace some of the income it would normally receive from magazine sales.