27/10/2026
Hi all,
While I wasn’t exactly thrilled to stumble across a post about me in a local group, it does give me a chance to clear up a few things…
Firstly, I do not threaten businesses with bad reviews if they don’t pay me or offer a free meal or stay. That claim is simply untrue.
At the height of summer, I was visiting three or more restaurants, cafes and hotels A DAY, trying to help as many local businesses as possible reach a wider audience.
With an increasingly full calendar, I began offering businesses contacting me directly the option to cover my travel and editing expenses so I could prioritise a visit. If they couldn’t or didn’t want to, they went onto my list to visit when possible. A list that’s now hundreds deep!!
They didn’t get a bad review for saying no.
As for my videos being positive… yes, that’s often a conscious choice.
I get criticised for being “blown away” too often, but apparently I’m also threatening everyone with bad reviews. I’m struggling to keep up! 😂
If a hotel’s decor isn’t to my taste, I’ll say so. That doesn’t mean the room hasn’t got a fantastic view, a comfortable bed or other features worth showing you. If I’d prefer something on my plate cooked differently, I can explain that without writing off the whole meal.
Personal preferences are exactly that, and I try to keep them in perspective.
Pembrokeshire’s businesses absolutely don’t need me to validate them.
Our county has incredible food, accommodation and hospitality long before I picked up a camera. Those reputations belong to the people who’ve spent years building them.
What I can offer is a chance for more people to discover them. Some videos reach hundreds of thousands of viewers and I’m incredibly fortunate to have such an active, supportive audience.
You recommend places, share your experiences, challenge me when you disagree and help others discover somewhere new. That support also allows me to work with businesses on discounts, giveaways, hotel breaks, meals and activities for you all to enjoy.
The website is the next step in that.
I’m building a travel guide to help locals and visitors find places to stay, eat and explore throughout Pembrokeshire and beyond.
Someone discovering an activity can also find a nearby independent hotel or restaurant. Someone planning a meal out might discover something else to do while they’re there.
The aim is to connect local businesses, encourage more local bookings and build something sustainable that allows me to keep bringing you these experiences full time.
I’ve never claimed to be an expert food critic. I’m sharing my experiences and giving you a peek inside places you might otherwise walk past, helping you decide whether you’d like to try them yourselves.
My content won’t be for everyone, and that’s absolutely fine. But every day, hundreds of thousands of you show me that you enjoy discovering our weird and wonderful businesses... and that’s what keeps me going.
To the fans, the trolls and even the miserable Normans who watch my content: thank you for your views, comments and honest opinions! 😉
Huge love to you all!
https://gowestwithmarc.co.uk/
Marc 😍❤️👍
