The Voice UK has landed itself a spot of bother after its team made a jaw-dropping request to an independent bakery owner. Rich Myers, the proud proprietor of Get Baked in Manchester and Leeds, was left fuming when he received an email asking for free cakes for the show's judges and contestants – with nary a penny offered in return. The cheeky ask has been labelled 'abysmal' by Myers, who believes large corporations should be paying their dues rather than relying on small businesses to foot the bill.
The offending email claimed that the high-profile talent appearing on the show would be treated to a slice (or two) backstage, and that this exposure would somehow be a reward in itself. However, Myers was having none of it – pointing out that even A-listers don't get a free pass at Get Baked. 'Putting food out for people to eat doesn't equate to publicity,' he said bluntly. With orders typically worth around £100 per day, Myers reckons this isn't just about the pennies – but about principle.
The backlash has been swift, with other independent business owners coming forward to share similar tales of being asked for freebies by larger entities. 'It's gifting culture gone mad,' says Myers, who hopes this incident will mark a turning point in how such requests are viewed. Lifted Entertainment has since apologised and promised to review its practices – but the damage is done.
The row has sparked a wider debate about the pressure put on small businesses to provide goods or services for free in exchange for publicity. With margins already stretched thin, many entrepreneurs like Myers feel they're being taken advantage of. It's a wake-up call for corporations: it's time to start paying their dues – not just expecting others to do them a favour.