Big Issue partners with fumopay to enable cashless payments via Open Banking

Source: Big Issue

Big Issue has partnered with Open Banking payment provider fumopay to offer its vendors an innovative new way to take cashless payments.

Big Issue sellers taking part in the fumopay pilot have been able to accept instant payments from customers by displaying a QR code to accept instant payments – all without the need for WiFi or charging card readers.

With cash usage in the UK now representing just 12% of all transactions, many Big Issue vendors – who often face multiple barriers to financial and digital inclusion – risk missing out on sales from customers who no longer carry cash.

The fumopay pilot forms part of Big Issue’s wider strategy to ensure vendors are not left behind in an increasingly cashless society. The social enterprise’s award-winning partnership with giffgaff has seen vendors able to take cashless payments via devices and refurbished phones for several years now. The fumopay pilot is complimenting this offering, especially for new vendors who are yet to be set up with giffgaff’s technology.

Catherine Parsons, managing director at Big Issue, said: “By providing smartphones and training through our partnership with giffgaff, we’re empowering vendors to build their digital confidence and connect with customers. Introducing innovative payment solutions like fumopay alongside this support simply adds another tool to the toolkit, giving vendors more control and security when selling the magazine.”

“Vendors trialling fumopay have already reported greater confidence in taking digital payments, higher magazine sales, and faster access to their earnings. It’s now our intention to roll out the fumopay Open Banking account-to-account payment solution to the wider vendor community.”

One London-based vendor shared: “ I get paid instantly compared to card readers, which usually take a few days. There’s less cash on the streets now, so fumopay helps me sell more magazines and not lose customers.”

Kevin Ludford, founder of fumopay, said: “Working with Big Issue has allowed us to design a solution around vendors’ real needs. We’re proud to complement Big Issue’s broader digital inclusion programme by making payments simpler, faster, and more accessible.”

The Big Issue and fumopay initiative has been shortlisted for the ‘Open Banking for Good’ category in the Open Banking Expo Awards 2025. For more information about the awards, judging panel, and to book tickets – click here.

Further reading: Open Banking payment provider fumopay selects acquiring partner