Rich Myers, the owner of the independent bakery Get Baked, expressed frustration after receiving a request from The Voice UK to provide free cakes. He was asked to offer cakes at no cost for the show's guests, claiming it would provide exposure due to the presence of celebrities. Rich described the request as "a total disgrace." He believes this practice of seeking free goods is unfair to small businesses.

Founded in Manchester, Get Baked has built a strong reputation for its creative cakes and has even opened a new shop in Covent Garden, London. Rich posted his concerns on Instagram, sharing the email from The Voice on social media. The email expressed regret but emphasized that they couldn’t offer anything in return except visibility to influential people.

Rich feels that placing the cakes in dressing rooms would not truly benefit his business. He argues that big companies should not expect freebies from small, hardworking entrepreneurs. Many independent businesses have similar experiences and support Rich’s stance against these kinds of requests.

The Voice's production company issued an apology, promising measures to prevent further instances. They assured that the request did not reflect their usual standards. Still, Rich hopes this incident leads to ending such practices of asking freebies from smaller establishments.

Original news source: Cake freebie request from The Voice 'abysmal', says bakery – BBC News (BBC)

1. What do you know about TV shows like The Voice?
2. Have you ever heard of businesses giving away free products for exposure?
3. What would you do if a well-known brand asked you for freebies?
4. Discuss a time when you or someone you know felt something was unfair.
5. What are some challenges that small businesses face?

Rich Myers, the owner of the independent bakery Get Baked, ? frustration after receiving a ? from The Voice UK to provide free cakes. He was ? to offer cakes at no cost for the show's guests, ? it would provide exposure due to the presence of celebrities. Rich described the request as "a ? ?." He believes this practice of seeking free goods is unfair to ? businesses. Founded in Manchester, Get ? has built a strong reputation for its creative cakes and has even opened a new shop in Covent Garden, London. Rich posted his concerns on Instagram, sharing the email from The Voice on social media. The email expressed regret but emphasized that they couldn’t offer anything in return except visibility to ? people. Rich feels that ? the ? in dressing rooms would not truly benefit his business. He argues that big companies should not expect freebies from small, hardworking ?. Many independent businesses have ? experiences and support Rich’s stance against these kinds of requests. The Voice's production company issued an apology, promising measures to prevent ? instances. They assured that the request did not ? their usual standards. Still, Rich hopes this incident leads to ending such practices of asking ? from smaller establishments.

1. Do you think The Voice's request was reasonable? Why or why not?
2. How important is exposure for a small business?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of providing free samples to celebrities?
4. Do you agree with Rich’s reaction? Explain your answer.
5. How would you handle a similar request if you were a small business owner?
6. Can social media be an effective tool for small businesses?
7. What role do apologies play in resolving conflicts?
8. What can large companies do to better support small businesses?
9. How should businesses decide when to give free products or services?
10. In what ways can small businesses protect themselves from unfair requests?
11. Discuss the impact of public image on a business.
12. Have you ever supported a local business, and why?

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.