I worked with a Big Issue vendor in Darlington - and this is how it went

The magazine has been in publication for 31 years, and has become part of the identity on our streets as thousands of copies are sold every day.

Despite being a part of the community each vendor is in, many do not know the ins and outs of the role and why they do it.

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The Northern Echo spent a day on shift with a vendor in Darlington town centre to see exactly just what is involved.

Peter became a Big Issue vendor when he first came to the North East from Birmingham, as a teenager. Picture: STUART BOULTON

We met up with Peter Cowles, who has been selling The Big Issue on High Row since he was 16 in 1999.

For the past decade Pete has been a big part of the town and has always nipped into Greggs to start his day.

For six days a week, Monday to Saturday, Peter stands on High Row from 8am to 1pm and one thing that makes him stand out from the crowd is his politeness and positivity.

Explaining what happens on a day-to-day basis, Peter reveals the secret to his continued positivity and says: “I like being happy.

"I like being outside, I like talking to people.

"Sometimes people ignore me but I just say to myself ‘must be invisible today’ but most people are fine and like a chat. My mum always told me to be polite!”

I learned some tricks of the trade and some tips on how to stay positive while doing this kind of job. Picture: STUART BOULTON

When we arrived at Peter’s pitching spot at 10am, he had already started two hours before, selling the latest edition of the magazine.

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Between 8am and 1pm he had sold four magazines, although he did mention that the town had been quieter than a typical Wednesday.

With highstreets quieter than they were pre-pandemic, it can be hard for Big Issue vendors to get customers. Picture: STUART BOULTON

The first thing we noticed was the temperature.

Vendors are out in all weathers, facing icy winds and pouring rain, and usually, they’re on their feet for the whole time.

Despite this, Peter certainly has the "gift of the gab" and his usual ice-breakers include; “Nice nails! Are they real?” and “Morning sir, nice boots.”

It is a common misconception that Big Issue vendors are all homeless, although this was the case for the majority of vendors when the magazine was launched in 1991.

It took around six years after launching to get about 90 per cent of vendors into temporary accommodation, which happened by 1997.

Peter was homeless when he started out selling the magazine but fortunately not anymore.

Peter has a talent for staying positive. Picture: STUART BOULTON

With roughly 40 regular customers throughout the week, and plenty of friendly faces in Darlington, Peter seems happy in his role.

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Big Issue vendors buy their magazines at £1.50 each and sell them for £3, and they earn the difference.

Peter said he enjoyed his job although what he earns can vary day to day. Picture: STUART BOULTON

Peter buys 50 magazines a week and on a good day, Peter will have 10-15 customers, although this is of course weather-dependent.

After there had been a suspected burst water pipe on Post House Wynd, the coffee machines at Greggs and Cooplands were off, much to Peter’s despair, so Subway had to do.

Pete with a regular customer. Picture: AJA DODD

When we asked Peter what his top-tips were for staying positive when greeted with a mute response from the public, he said: “It doesn’t bother me, onto the next one.

“Sometimes you get people calling us names, or saying that we’re begging, but that's not what we're doing.”

• To support The Big Issue and its network of 1,500 vendors around the UK, you can subscribe at www.bigissue.com/subscribe.

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