Big Issue seller pitches in to help keep the city tidy
A Big Issue seller from Bath who got turned down for a binman's job is still helping to keep the city tidy.
Hungarian Istvan Kakas is a chef who has previously worked with Gordon Ramsay, and is keen to keep people smiling with his positive outlook on life.
The 46-year-old sells the magazine at the Halfpenny Bridge, behind the railway station, and regularly picks up a broom to keep his pitch tidy.
Mr Kakas, who unsuccessfully applied for a job with B&NES Council as a refuse collector, said: "I like to keep my pitch tidy out of respect for people coming by.
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"The pitch is at the back of the station and the land is private, so the council don't look after it.
"The people in the station gave me a broom so I could sweep it properly."
In a career in catering, he has also worked at Gidleigh Park Hotel in Devon with Michelin chef Michael Caines.
He lost his last job when a boss got divorced and sold the business. His life spiralled into homelessness, sleeping on the streets before getting a job selling the magazine.
Mr Kakas said: "I start at 6am every day when people are going to work.
"The people just love me because I am always laughing. Customers ask 'how can you be happy every day' and I say it is PMA – positive mental attitude."
Mr Kakas now has a bedroom at the YMCA in Broad Street Place, and would like to find another job as a chef.
He likes cooking traditional British food – and says his trademark dish is Yorkshire pudding.
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