Big Issue vendor Earl Charlton returns to Newcastle Central Station pitch to sell magazine after four years

Feeling nervous, this week Earl Charlton returned to the exact spot where he spent years selling the Big Issue magazine.

Armed with several copies of the latest edition and wearing his red Big Issue vest, the 46-year-old, from North Shields, set up at his old pitch outside the entrance to Newcastle's Central Station and started selling the magazine to members of the public.

It has been four years since he completed what he thought would be his last day as a Big Issue vendor at this busy pitch, where he came to know many people, including commuters, college students, rail employees and station staff. And today some of those regular faces still walk by the pitch, where Earl's friendly greeting and smile has been missed.

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Earl said: "I felt a bit nervous at first because I haven't done this for so long.

"People have been asking if I'm okay and why I'm back here selling the Big Issue. They've been happy to see me but have been concerned until I explain why I'm here."

While many things have stayed the same since Earl last pitched at the spot on November 20, 2020, his reason for returning to the role has changed. He will temporarily be selling the magazine this week while the Big Issue Community Roadshow is in Newcastle. The roadshow, which started in Newcastle on Tuesday, will remain in the city until Thursday, October 4, before continuing its national tour in Birmingham.

The aim of the visit is to understand what is happening across Britain and to explain how the Big Issue can work for good. And Earl might just be the perfect example of the positive change it can make.

After running away from home when he was just 14 years old, Earl hitch-hiked his way around the country. But by 19, he was addicted to cocaine, heroin and alcohol and found himself living on the street.

It was then that he met a Big Issue vendor and decided to start selling the magazine. Thanks to The Big Issue Foundation's Vendor Support Fund (VSF), which provides financial support for vendors to improve their lives, Earl was able to return to the North East and address his drug and alcohol addictions.

The support fund contributed 60% of the costs to relocate Earl in South Shields and remove him from his difficult life in Hackney, London. While the remaining 40% was funded by one of Earl’s regular customers, who he met while selling the magazine in the capital.

For 15 years Earl sold the Big Issue while also working on his addictions. He has been clean and sober for eight years and in the last four years he has been working in full time employment, has starred in a film about his experiences which has been screened across the UK. He has also published a book of poetry written throughout his life.

Earl said: "I'm here to make a massive change in people's lives.... I can't live the 25 years I've lived and sit back and do nothing about it, because there's other people still out there. I'm here to fight for change, to make a positive change."

He added: "I stepped away from my pitch and walked into full time employment on the same day. It was an emotional day taking that Big Issue vest off but the Big Issue was the secure stepping stone that allowed me to take that big leap. I couldn't have done it on my own."