Big Issue in the North to go digital

THE Big Issue in the North is to sell a digital edition, a move it claims will make it the world’s first digital street magazine.

From the end of the month vendors in Manchester will be selling an access card as well as the magazine that will enable people to view the latest edition online.

It is a pilot which could be rolled out across the North and to 122 other street magazines in the International Network of Street Papers (INSP).

The Big Issue, which was set up to tackle homelessness, said it was the biggest single development in its 20-year history which is intended to attract a wider readership.

Caroline Price, director, at The Big Issue in the North said: “This is not about replacing our traditional print magazine; it is about moving with the times and giving people a choice in how they read the magazine.

“The Big Issue in the North’s primary aim is to provide homeless people with the opportunity to earn an income. In order to continue to do this, we need to ensure we appeal to a broad range of readers, including people who choose to read newspapers and magazines online.”

Manchester public relations firm Citypress is working on the launch in a pro bono capacity.