Councillor Becomes Big Issue Seller

A CITY councillor is preparing to leave the comfort of his office behind and spend a day on the streets selling copies of The Big Issue in the North. 

“Any proceeds I make will go to the vendor of course,” he said. It seems only fair since he will be selling from someone else’s patch, after all. 

Cllr Marc Ramsbottom will work alongside another vendor selling copies of the magazine outside the Cornerhouse, on Oxford Road. He will be picking up tips of the trade before trying his hand at the job himself, all to raise awareness for The Big Issue in the North and the people who sell it. 

Cllr Ramsbottom said: “The Big Issue in the North does fantastic work in Manchester and I hope to learn first hand what it's like to be a Big Issue vendor in the city. 

“I’m looking forward to it. But I am a bit apprehensive, as I think you are on the first day of any new job.” 

He added: “It was my idea. I remember seeing somebody doing work for another charitable organisation and I said to the people at The Big Issue in the North: ‘It would be really good if we could do that in Manchester.’ And they encouraged me." 

Cllr Ramsbottom will start out like any other vendor, with five free copies of The Big Issue in the North to sell. He can then use the money he earns to buy more copies for £1 each and sell them on for £2, using the profits to keep buying more magazines. 

But don’t worry, he has no plans to supplement his income by selling copies of The Big Issue in the North. 

“Any proceeds I make will go to the vendor of course,” he said. 

It seems only fair since he will be selling from someone else’s patch, after all. 

Caroline Price, Director for The Big Issue in the North said: “It’s great for us to be able to give people a real insight into what it’s like selling the magazine and we’re pleased that Cllr Ramsbottom is going to be selling The Big Issue in the North to the city’s shoppers and finding out more about the way we work.  

“The day will give Councillor Ramsbottom a snapshot of a vendor’s life and we’ll be really interested to hear his thoughts on what it’s like for vendors of the magazine who are working hard to earn an income.” 

Cllr Ramsbottom is keen to do things properly and show people what life is like for those who sell The Big Issue in the North. 

He said: “I will be doing the training first of all, learning the dos and don’ts.” 

He will learn the code of conduct that all sellers have to abide by. Then he will get his official badge and head outside to start work. But it’s important to get the full experience, he said. 

“I think the first thing is to raise awareness,” he explained. “I think many people are confused as to what Big Issue sellers are about. This is a well organised venture. It gives people an opportunity to turn their lives around.” 

The Big Issue in the North helps people who are homeless or have no means of generating their income to get back on their feet. 

Cllr Ramsbottom added: “For me, it’s to have a better idea of what the issues are that these people face and what can be done to help them.”