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Park Street Big Issue vendor among first in UK to trial digital scheme
A well-known Bristol Big Issue seller is one of the first to trial an innovative new digital initiative to his customers.
The trial is aiming to empower vendors by giving them a QR code which customers can use to share their local vendor’s subscription, pitch location and story with friends and family to help boost seller earnings.
Jack Richardson, who sells the magazine outside Bird & Blend Tea on Park Street, is among ten UK vendors to trial personalised codes on lanyards and webpages.
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“I’m always in favour of trying out new technologies and seeing how they work,” Richardson said.
“I’ve already had a couple of customers who’ve put it up on their social media. So we’ll see how that goes.
“But that’s the thing about QR codes, they are so easy to share and I have a lot of young customers here who very much engage in these new technologies.”
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Richardson first turned to selling Big Issue in his 20s when his landlord kept his deposit when his tenancy ended.
He said: “I was living hand to mouth with no rent advance and deposit. I was absolutely knocked for a hoop.
“I spent a good year or so staying on traveller sites and hitching around various places and begging and that was until someone suggested I try selling the Big Issue.
“And it turned out I was much better at selling the Big Issue than I was at begging.”
Jack hit national headlines when he married his wife Toni, whom he met when he gave her 50p for her electricity metre – photo: Judith Parkyn
Vendors buy magazines for £2 and sell them on for £4. Customers can also subscribe with a vendor online, which provides a vital additional source of regular income.
John Bird, founder of the Big Issue Group, said: “We are pleased to mark the launch of yet another way by which customers can further connect with their local vendor.
“Which is why we are urging you to help boost your local vendor’s income by scanning their personalised QR code to share the vendor’s story and subscribe.”
To boost vendor earnings, buy a copy of the magazine or subscribe online, visit www.bigissue.com/boost-vendor-earnings
Main photo: Big Issue
Read next:
- Terminally ill dad starts selling Big Issue to help sons when he’s gone
- Outpouring of support for much-loved ‘Bristol legend’
- Breakfast with Bristol24/7: Jack Richardson
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