The Big Issue, in partnership with publishing platform, Pugpig, has launched an app and digital edition to maximise sales and support vendors across the UK in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Big Issue app offers existing and new readers a fresh platform by which to access the award-winning weekly publication as well as access to “The Big Community”, a curated channel providing hope through positive and inspiring stories, focused on the people and businesses coming together in this crisis to support the most vulnerable in society.

Joe Wicks, the fitness coach who has risen to fame in the UK over the past few weeks, is the cover star of the first edition of the magazine to go live on the app, and he has thrown his support behind the app by giving the magazine an exclusive interview.

He said: “Since the coronavirus crisis hit the UK, Big Issue vendors haven’t been able to sell on the streets. We need to ensure that, once this is all over, its still here to support vendors to earn a legitimate income and lift themselves out of poverty.

“One of the ways you can support right now is by downloading the new Big Issue app. I’m so proud and pleased to be the cover star of the first edition that is available from today. I can’t urge you all enough to keep this awesome organisation alive by downloading it for free today and buying my digital edition for just £2.99 or subscribing for regular editions.”

Russell Blackman, MD, at The Big Issue, said: “Our income largely comes from street sales and without our vendors on the streets we are losing our ability to directly provide them with a source on income. They desperately need our help and we have continued to adapt to the situation, by launching our new app.”

The app, designed by the team at Pugpig at no cost to The Big Issue, is free to download for iOS and Android and will make the magazine accessible through weekly downloads at £2.99 for a copy or via subscriptions, starting from £32.99 for three months.

50 per cent of net proceeds of magazine sales through the app will go directly to supporting Big Issue vendors at this critical time. For more information visit bigissue.com.