Marti Stelling

A Sheffield Big Issue vendor is asking more people to buy the magazine as the cost-of-living crisis has caused his sales to fall.

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.

Before moving to his current patch, outside the Crosspool Spar, Mohammed sold the Big Issue in Scunthorpe, Barnsley and Sheffield city centre.

He said: “For the first six months, I didn’t sell a single copy of the magazine. The Big Issue told me not to give up. After six months, people slowly became my friends.”

The Big Issue North supports vendors who sell the Big Issue across the north of England through helping them earn an income and providing support with issues such as housing and drug rehabilitation.

The Big Issue is sold by people who may be unable to access mainstream employment for reasons including mental and physical health barriers.

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

Mohammed said: “When 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.”

He said sales had been down in recent years because of rising prices and because people already struggle to afford essentials

Alice Collins, Relief Co-ordinator at the Big Issue North, said: “The cost of living is having an impact on sales because the public, even though they might want to support the vendors, don’t have as much money in their pockets.

“People have to prioritise different things, primarily heating and eating as these costs have risen. Big Issue sales took a hit in the pandemic, and we are still seeing the impact of this as city-centre pitches have less footfall and more people working from home.

“The cost of living impacted the magazine itself, due to rising costs of paper, printing, ink, and delivery costs, which meant of the price of magazine increased to £4. People want to support local vendors, but it another expense which they cannot afford.”

Throughout his 14 years working in Crosspool, he has built a strong community of regular customers who stop and chat with him.

He said: “The first thing in my life is community. Be kind to people, and they will be kind back to you. The people of Crosspool are like family to me. The main thing in life is being happy. I have worked so hard for that. That’s how I get a smile on my face.”

Alice, who works closely with Sheffield Big Issue vendors, said: “Mohammed has sold the magazine for many years and has worked very hard to build up his client base in Crosspool. He is a valued member of the community there.”

In the future, Mohammed is keen to set up his own restaurant and help homeless people by sharing his love for cooking.

Although Mohammed has family in Sheffield, they look down on him for selling the Big Issue instead of working a traditional job.

“They tell me I am begging, but I am not, this is my job. I buy the magazine, and I sell it,” he said.

“Whatever happens in my life, I will always stand up on my own two feet. I don’t give up on myself.”

The publication can only exist with the support of people buying it from local vendors.

For more information, including supporting the Big Issue North or to find a vendor near you, visit the Big Issue website.  

Published in Sheffield Wire