Husband and wife Big Issue vendors: 'Just treat people how you want to be treated'
Husband-and-wife team Daniel John and Bianca were at FarGo Village for Tom Grennan's big busk, and made a few extra magazine sales while they were at it
Our vendors, husband-and-wife team Daniel John and Bianca. Image: Exposure Photo Agency
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Tom Grennan’s blockbuster Big Issue busk at FarGo Village in Coventry wasn’t just a big hit with his adoring fans – he struck a chord with Big Issue vendors too
Husband and wife pairing Daniel John, 34, who sells on Earlsdon High Street, and Bianca, 30, who sells at Warwick University, made the trip from their pitches to sell magazines at the event, as well as enjoy a few of Grennan’s tunes.
Daniel said: “It was fabulous. It was number one. He did fabulous things for the Big Issue. I did not know this person until I saw him face to face. But he shook hands with me and I felt like I was dreaming. It’s like it was not real.
“The event was so good, there were so many people. I don’t know how many magazines we sold but it was around 100.
“Tom Grennan has a heart of diamond. I’m not going to forget what he did for us. He helped us a lot. I’m so happy because he helped me to support my family and children.
“I’ve sold the Big Issue for around 13 years. I’m old furniture! At the moment selling the Big Issue isn’t quite what it was seven or eight years ago, but it is starting to get a bit better.
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“Of course, I’d love other singer-songwriters to come to busk for the Big Issue. I’ll be listening to more Tom Grennan for sure.
Grennan wowed the Coventry crowds. Image: Will Roberts
“I would like to say thank you so much to Big Issue for putting me in touch with Tom Grennan, as well as Mohammed and Holly in the office and John Bird.
“Thanks to FarGo Village and the customers. All the best to everyone who has been supporting us so much.”
Bianca said: “I really enjoyed it. He’s a really nice guy, really sweet and his grandma is lovely too. I didn’t know much about him before the event but he’s a good singer with a really good voice. I think his songs are lovely and from what I heard he used to do the busking – he’s honestly doing a really good job.
“There were a lot of people there and not all of the people bought a magazine but a lot of them did. Some bought two or three – Tom Grennan’s grandmother bought four off me!
“I have to find a way to say thank you to Tom. He opened up a lot of people’s eyes and ears to realise what the Big Issue really means and what it does for people and how it helps others. He did an amazing thing. I wish I could find a way to say thank you directly.
“Next time someone does busk for the Big Issue just let us know and me and my husband are always happy to come down.
“We have been selling the Big Issue for so many years that we feel part of it and it feels like a normal job. It doesn’t feel like begging or anything like that. It feels like this is me and what I like to do.
“I used to have issues with family and I didn’t really trust people that much but when I became a Big Issue vendor, I slowly realised that not everybody is the same, people are different and just treat people how you want to be treated. The Big Issue has helped us out in so many different ways.”
Daniel sells the magazine at: Earlsdon High Street, Coventry Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-4pm
Bianca sells the magazine at: Rootes Grocery Store, University of Warwick, Coventry, Tuesday-Friday, 8.30am-4pm (plus Saturday at Jubilee Crescent, Coventry)
This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.
