The Big Issue

• The magazine aims to challenge negative perceptions of homelessness and poverty through its content and sales model.
• The Big Issue is the UK's leading street paper, with over 100,000 copies sold every week.
• It was founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick in 1991 as an alternative to begging on the streets.
• It provides employment opportunities, training, and support services to vendors who sell the magazine on the streets.
• The magazine covers social justice issues such as housing, mental health, addiction, and human rights.
• The magazine covers current affairs, politics, culture, sport, health, education, business, and technology.
• It also features interviews with celebrities, politicians, and other notable figures.
• It costs £2.50 per issue.
• The Big Issue is published weekly by Dennis Publishing and The Big Issue Ltd.
• Contexts:

  • Tagline: "A hand-up, not a hand-out"
  • Genre: Independent/ Current Affairs' Entertainment/ Street Magazine
  • Average Circulation: 82,000 readerships
  • Costs: £2.50
  • Published by: Dennis Publishing & The Big Issue Ltd. 1991-Present
• Timeline:

  • 1995: The Big Issue Foundation: helps those in need in areas such as mental health, domestic abuse and housing.
  • 2005: The Big Invest: Financial fund- available to those with a business plan who with to start charities or small businesses
  • 2016: Online Shop: creating synergetic merchandising
• The brand identity has developed over time through its development of covers over time- a strong use of celebrity influence on the covers. And also its sense of simplicity evident throughout covers- one main cover image and small amount of text-potential reflection of the way magazine is sold.