“We’ve had a really big change with The Big Issue but it’s still a really important thing and a big part in helping people moving on from where they are and we really support it.
“I’m out here showing Colin I support him and supporting The Big Issue more broadly, everything it stands for, everything it’s done, everything it’s achieved. A lot of people in Greater Manchester are fully behind it and we always will be.”
Burnham is one of Colin’s regular customers. The vendor was living in a Salvation Army hostel in Birmingham when he first started selling the magazine to earn an income.
He moved to Manchester in 2010 and has been selling the magazine in the city ever since.
In a recent interview with The Big Issue, Colin said the pair “chat all the time”.
He said it was a good experience to show the Manchester mayor what it’s like to be in a vendor’s shoes.
Colin said: “I’ve known Andy about seven years since I was selling the magazine at the Cornerhouse and moved to here. I see him regularly, he comes here a lot and he usually buys a Big Issue.
“A couple of weeks ago he came past and said, ‘I’ll give you the money and pick up a magazine off you next time’ so I’ve just given him a magazine with a picture of me in it from a couple of weeks ago.
“It’s nice to have the support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, we have a good chat.”
In an exclusive interview with The Big Issue in this week’s magazine, the Manchester mayor speaks out on his efforts to tackle homelessness across Greater Manchester, as well as Prince William’s own homelessness campaign and moving beyond the culture wars that have polluted political debate in Westminster.
He also reflects on his previous encounters selling The Big Issue before the pandemic.
“I learned a lot,” he said. “It’s a street level insight into the world of people and it could be any of us, couldn’t it? Because of the way life is nowadays.
“I always say this: I think we’re all just a couple of bits of bad luck away from being there and I think putting yourself in the shoes, even just for an hour, of somebody in that position is largely affirming.”
Thursday’s spell in the iconic red tabard was the first time the Manchester mayor had sold the magazine while his face was on the cover.
Burnham said: “It’s not the easiest to be honest, I’ve just bought one off Colin to give to my mum. It’s not easy because I think people are doing a bit of a double take at times. It’s a bit of an odd thing to do.
“I’m just really proud to be on the front [of the magazine] and to support Colin and everything that he does. A lot of people like to stop to chat to Colin and he’s a really friendly face around the city, he really adds something to Greater Manchester and we’re really proud of him.”
To boost vendor earnings, buy a copy of the magazine or subscribe online by visiting www.Bigissue.com/boost-vendor-earnings.
