Politicians, public servants, musicians and members of the public will join Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in selling Big Issue North for an hour to mark international Vendor Week.
Readers of the magazine have responded in their droves to a request from Big Issue North to take part in the Big Sell, which invites people to find out first-hand the challenges faced by street paper vendors.
In the biggest Big Sell yet, more than 40 people across the North will take to the streets from 5-9 February to do their bit, in Salford, Bolton, Harrogate, Hull, Beverley, Sheffield, Doncaster, Leeds, York, Hebden Bridge, Manchester, West Kirby, Wigan, Ormskirk, Lytham St Annes and Liverpool.
Among the people taking part are Doncaster Council Chief Executive Jo Miller, Manchester music-scene legend Dave Haslam, both Arch Deacons of Salford, and local councillors from Salford and Sheffield councils.
Each guest seller will sell for one hour alongside a regular Big Issue North vendor, and all money raised from magazine sales will go straight into the regular vendor’s pocket.
This year combines the best elements of previous Big Sell events; in 2017, 25 members of the public took the streets, while in 2015 and 2016 high-profile figures including actor Maxine Peake, singer Jon McClure and Hilary Benn MP showed their support.
Fay Selvan, Chief Executive of Big Issue North, said: “It’s amazing to see so many people from all walks of life keen to give their time to support vendors, and experience the reality of selling on the streets in all weathers.
“I’m proud that we’re doing the Big Sell for the fourth year running, joining other street papers around the world in raising awareness of the challenges facing the people who sell such magazines and hopefully boosting their sales.”
The Big Sell takes place during international #VendorWeek, an international event organised by INSP (International Network of Street Papers). During the week, people across the world show their support for street papers, often by giving up an hour of their day to sell their local magazine.
Maree Aldam, Chief Executive of INSP, said: “This year’s Big Issue North guest vendors will be joined by readers, business leaders, politicians and celebrities in Melbourne, Sydney, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver and Mexico City; who will all sell their local street papers to understand more about the challenges faced by vendors.
“Around the world, other #VendorWeek activities include special editions featuring vendor writing; international vendor-to-vendor conference calls; and various ways for readers to meet vendors and hear their stories first hand. As well as these events, our street papers will also take to social media using the #VendorWeek hashtag, to tell their inspiring stories and share the amazing crowd sourced #VendorWeek video.”
The Big Sell will be in:
- Harrogate, Salford and Bolton on Monday, 5 February
- Hull, Beverley, Sheffield and Doncaster on Tuesday, 6 February
- Leeds, Sheffield, York and Hebden Bridge on Wednesday, 7 February
- Manchester on Thursday, 8 February
West Kirby, Wigan, Ormskirk, Lytham St Annes and Liverpool on Friday, 9 February
High-profile people taking part include:
- Monday: Karen Lund and David Sharples, Arch Deacons of Salford; Sue Longden, Assistant Director of Public Health, Bolton Council; Councillor Gina Reynolds, Lead Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing, Salford Council
- Tuesday: Jo Miller, Chief Executive, Doncaster Council; Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, Sheffield Council
- Wednesday: Sandi Carman, Assistant Chief Executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
- Thursday: Geoff Little OBE, Deputy Chief Exec, Manchester City Council; Sean McGonigle, Director of Trading Services, Manchester City Council; Dave Haslam, writer, broadcaster and DJ; Dr Carolyn Kus, Executive Director for Strategic Commissioning and Director of Adult Social Care Services (DASS), Manchester City Council; Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
