Express & Star

Cheers! Big Issue seller toasts new job at brewery

Bill Webb spent a year sleeping rough in a cave.

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Brewery owner Jennifer Tingay and Big Issue vendor Bill Webb (Big Issue/PA)

A former British Army medic who started selling The Big Issue magazine after sleeping rough in a cave is toasting a new job – as a tour guide in a brewery.

Bill Webb, 62, managed to get his own flat in Bournemouth after becoming a Big Issue vendor and taking part in the magazine’s charitable arm.

He has become a tour guide at Southbourne Ales brewery after taking part in public speaking workshops at the local university.

“I did the tour to see what was expected of me, then I added my own touches while rehearsing at home. I’m hoping this job will see me through to retirement,” he said.

Southbourne Ales owner Jennifer Tingay said: “He’s a confident public speaker, he’s knowledgeable about the industry and he’s got a really positive outlook, so it is great to be able to give him this opportunity to progress.”

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