Big Issue vendors across the region face 'very desperate times'

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A Big Issue vendor from Plymouth has spoken about the "desperate times" the coronavirus lockdown has left vendors like him in across the region.

There are around 2000 Big Issue vendors across the UK, all of whom rely on shoppers buying the magazine to make an income.

But with high streets empty, their earnings have been reduced to nothing.

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Clive, who can usually be seen outside the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, has had to temporarily stop selling on the streets and self-isolate. He told ITV News:

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Big Issue, who help people living in poverty, has set up an emergency support fund to help their vendors during the crisis.

They will also go on sale in two major high-street shops for the first time in their 29-year history, with the profits going straight into a vendor support fund.

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Clive says he's "trying to be optimistic". He said:

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