The National Trust has come under fire for charging influencers and social media users who film paid-for content at its properties. The charity, which earned £3.1 million in location fees last year, requires anyone creating commercial or gifted content to pre-book through its Filming and Locations Office. A spokesperson said the policy is not new and that fees help care for landscapes, buildings, and gardens.
The move has sparked criticism, with some arguing it targets casual users. However, the Trust insists it applies only to those making money from their content. The policy was highlighted this week by the Daily Telegraph and The Sun, though it has been in place for some time.
This is not the first controversy for the National Trust, which has faced accusations of “wokeness” over its disclosure of historical slavery ties and the introduction of vegan scones in its cafes. Despite this, members recently blocked attempts to elect opponents to its council.
