London’s Borough Market has been in the spotlight after two social media influencers were escorted out of the premises for filming a review without permission. Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany, who run the food review account Bite Twice on TikTok and Instagram, were approached by security while filming a review of a dessert from a popular vendor, Humble Crumble. The market has a policy requiring anyone filming or taking photographs for professional purposes to obtain prior approval, which the duo was not aware of.

According to the market’s spokesperson, this policy has been in place for some time and is designed to prevent disruption to stallholders and visitors. The market values the role of food reviewers in showcasing its traders but needs to balance this with the need to maintain a comfortable environment for all visitors. The policy prohibits filming between 11 am and 2:30 pm on weekdays and at any time during the weekend.

This incident highlights the growing trend of hospitality venues establishing filming and photography policies to manage the increasing number of social media influencers and content creators. Many restaurants and establishments are now specifying rules for influencers, with some requiring pre-booking and approval for paid or gifted content. The National Trust, a UK heritage charity, is one such example, with a policy that requires influencers to pre-book through its Filming and Locations Office.

The rise of online video reviews and foodie content has led to a surge in influencers visiting restaurants and markets, often without permission. While some establishments welcome the free advertising, others are concerned about the disruption and congestion caused by filming. As the lines between amateur and professional content creation continue to blur, venues are increasingly seeking to establish clear guidelines for influencers and content creators.

Borough Market is currently reviewing its policy, and the incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for clear guidelines and communication between venues and influencers. For Bite Twice, the experience has not deterred them from continuing to create content, and they have already posted new reviews on their social media channels. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the rules and regulations of establishments when creating content.