TV Show Asks Bakery For Free Cakes, Owner Calls It "Disgrace"

An independent bakery owner has publicly criticized a request from The Voice UK for free cakes, labeling it a "total disgrace." Rich Myers, owner of the Get Baked bakery, shared an email on Instagram that detailed the request from the show's production company, Lifted Entertainment. The email suggested providing cakes for the talent dressing rooms and green rooms during filming, explicitly stating that no monetary payment would be offered, only the "exposure" to "highly influential" individuals involved with the show.

Myers, who has operated his business for 15 years, expressed his frustration, stating that such requests are a "kick in the teeth" to small businesses. He highlighted that while the cost of such an order might be around £100, the principle of being asked to provide goods for exposure, rather than fair compensation, is what he strongly opposes. He noted that other independent businesses have faced similar demands.

Lifted Entertainment, the production company behind The Voice UK, has since issued an apology. They acknowledged the request was "not in line with their usual way of working" and assured that immediate steps have been taken to ensure this type of request is never made again. Myers expressed hope that this incident would lead to an end of such "gifting culture" demands on independent businesses.