{"id":61737,"date":"2024-04-22T11:31:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T10:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/?p=61737"},"modified":"2024-04-22T11:49:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T10:49:44","slug":"cost-of-living-crisis-sheffield-big-issue-vendor-faces-falling-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2024\/04\/22\/cost-of-living-crisis-sheffield-big-issue-vendor-faces-falling-sales\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of living crisis: Sheffield Big Issue vendor faces falling sales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Sheffield man who sells the Big Issue magazine is appealing for more people to buy it after the financial crisis has drastically impacted sales<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Iqbal, 57, has sold the Big Issue for 14 years despite having diabetes and arthritis, which causes crippling pain in his leg when he stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before moving to his current patch, outside the Crosspool Spar, Mohammed<\/a> sold the Big Issue in Scunthorpe, Barnsley, and Sheffield city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cFor the first six months, I didn\u2019t sell a single copy of the magazine. The Big Issue told me not to give up. After six months, people slowly became my friends.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An independent publication that supports 350 vendors in towns and cities across the north of England, The Big Issue North<\/a> is is sold by people who may be unable to access mainstream employment for reasons including mental and physical health barriers. The charity also provides support for many of other matters, including benefits and housing issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost-of-living crisis<\/a> has affected sales of the magazine, making it harder for vendors like Mohammed to earn a steady income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed said: \u201cWhen I first started, the magazine was 50p and I would sell 300 magazines a week in Barnsley. Now, I push myself to sell 50 or 60 a week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He admitted sales had been down in recent years because of rising prices. He understands it is difficult for people to afford the magazine when they already struggle to afford essentials like bread and milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside this week's issue:

\ud83c\udfe0 A visit to Amy\u2019s Place, a supported housing facility in London for young women who have left rehabilitation
\ud83c\udfad Christopher Eccleston on running the London Marathon for The Big Issue

and more!

Find your local vendor: https:\/\/t.co\/sRB0cjGG6w<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iLdWnRp4XO<\/a><\/p>— Big Issue North (@bigissuenorth) April 15, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>